Dark Sky Friendly

Have you taken a trip to the country lately? I'm one of those lucky devils that grew up in a small town and the one thing I miss most is the incredible starry nights. Thousands upon thousands of stars, big bold moons and shooting stars. The reason we don't get this spectacular show in metro areas is due to light pollution.

Light pollution, at it's worst is excessive, misdirected, or obtrusive artificial (usually outdoor) light. Not surprisingly light pollution has consequences and not just washing out starlight in the night sky, it disrupts ecosystems, interferes with astronomical research, disrupts our circadian rhythm, has adverse health effects and wastes energy. 

Innovative lighting designers, Hubbardton Forge and Tech Lighting to name a few, have taken it upon themselves to create a range of outdoor lighting that limits the light projected towards the sky, reducing glare, light trespass, and skyglow. These collections are part of the 'Dark Sky Friendly Initiative' created by the International Dark-sky Association. The Dark Sky Friendly outdoor fixtures are designed with downward-facing only beams and reflections of light. The absence of up-light helps to minimize light pollution, protecting stargazing and wildlife for future generations.

These new Dark Sky Friendly pieces join a growing collection of environmentally-conceived fixtures for the outdoors, with a reverence for the natural beauty of the night skies.