Saturday, December 21, 2024

Protecting Maine’s Enchanting Night Skies

Posted in
on
Maine has experienced a remarkable year for stargazing, highlighted by a total solar eclipse in April, stunning Northern Lights, and a bright comet making its appearance. However, the beauty of night skies is increasingly threatened by light pollution, which affects both human health and wildlife by disrupting circadian rhythms and natural behaviors. Fortunately, Maine is home to some of the darkest night skies east of the Mississippi, with communities actively adopting measures to minimize light pollution. Recent initiatives include stronger lighting standards in unorganized territories and proposed legislation to require public lighting to meet dark sky standards. As the state embraces astrotourism and conservation efforts, there is a collective push to protect this precious natural resource for future generations.

Read More