Light Pollution in Relation to Crime and Safety

Everyone expects lighting to reduce crime and increase safety. However if lighting is poorly designed or installed, it can have the opposite affect.

A straight forward application of "Lighting Standards" can result in hazardous situations. Good engineering judgement and common sense must be used in the selection and installation of lights. Otherwise, expensive light installations will produce less than desirable affects.

Examples of Light Pollution Bylaws

The RASC Light Pollution Abatement Committee has assembled a library of lighting bylaws that have been implemented in municipalities across Canada. You can find this collection on our Public Google Drive, organized by province and accompanied by an index of every item to help you navigate the folder. 

Explore bylaws on the Public Google Drive

Public Outreach Materials

Increasing public awarenss on light pollution and its impact on the environment and human health can be a daunting task. One of the roles of the RASC's National LPA Committee is to help Centres build local awareness.

One way is with short videos that present the information in an easily understood program. Below is one particularly good example.

Light Pollution Abatement Resources

Reducing light pollution is a classic example of a "think globally, act locally" issue. While the negative effects of light pollution are widespread, most lighting is regulated either at the municipal or regional (provincial/state) level. To help preserve dark skies, advocates need to work with municipal planners, councils, and regulators to encourage lighting standards and practices that preserve the night sky.

How to Become a Designated Dark-Sky Site

The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada’s Dark-Sky Site program recognizes public and private spaces that are contributing to the reduction of light pollution, educating the public about dark skies, and liaising with municipalities to improve lighting legislation. If you are interested in actively contributing to the preservation of dark skies in Canada, or if you already do so, consider becoming a designated Dark-Sky Site!

Dark-Sky Sites in Canada

The map link below shows Canadian Dark-Sky Sites that have been designated by the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada. For an interactive map, please click on this link:

[ Open Interactive Google Map in new tab ]

Dark-Sky Sites Program

The aim of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada's Dark-Sky Sites Program is to recognize sites that are contributing to the reduction of light pollution, educating the public about dark skies, and liaising with municipalities to improve lighting legislation. In order to receive a designation, sites must fulfill certain requirements in regards to lighting, sky quality, visitor experience, and municipal outreach.

Light Pollution Abatement at the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada

Light pollution makes it harder to see the stars, but it also has long-term negative impacts on human health, heritage, and the environment. The RASC recognizes that natural dark skies are an important ecological and cultural resource, and has a dedicated team who promote awareness of the impacts of artificial light at night and lead efforts in light pollution abatement across Canada.

Information from the early days of the RASC's robotic telescope in California.

This telescope was operated from 2018 until 2023.

Additional pages are stored in the 2020s digital archives.