Light Pollution, Heritage, & Culture
The night sky and astronomy are a significant part of human heritage. Astronomy has driven countless contributions to science and knowledge, and has always influenced our worldview [1] [2]. This is true even today - the discovery that the basic elements found in stars are the same elements found in the human body has deepened our connection to the cosmos. Astronomy is one of the world’s oldest sciences, and it is intertwined with the history of every human culture [2].
The constellations and asterisms many of us are familiar with come from Greek and Roman culture. But did you know that other cultures have their own star stories and night sky traditions? Indigenous cultures across the globe have long used astronomy for navigation, timekeeping, agricultural planning, and spiritual and religious practices [3]. Their star lore offers a different perspective, one told through stories that are embedded with scientific knowledge, lessons, morals, and values. Initiatives like Native Skywatchers and the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada’s World Asterisms Project celebrate sky lore from cultures all over the world in an effort to preserve their knowledge and incorporate unique perspectives of the night sky into our worldview.
The night sky is also our connection to the cosmos. It’s hard to look up at the stars and not wonder about the bigger picture - what is our place in the universe? Are there more planets like ours? Are there more beings like us? The night sky inspires us to ask big questions and explore beyond our tiny planet.
Our ability to see the stars and other objects in the night sky helps us build connections to our ancestors and the greater universe. Light pollution threatens these connections by washing out the night sky and making it hard to see the stars. It is estimated that 80% of North Americans cannot see the Milky Way with the naked eye, and that 80% of the world and more than 99% of US and European populations live under light-polluted skies [4].
With light pollution increasing at a rate of 6% per year [5], how do we protect this connection to our heritage? Places that have committed to protecting dark skies, like RASC Dark-Sky Sites, provide a refuge for heritage and curiosity about the universe. They protect our connection to our ancestors and the cosmos by practicing and encouraging responsible lighting, teaching people about the night sky, and incorporating the star lore of local cultures into their visitor experience. Initiatives such as Native Skywatchers and the RASC’s World Asterisms Project protect our connection to heritage by acknowledging and passing on star stories from around the world. Astronomers continue to connect us to the greater universe through new discoveries, exploration, and expansion of our understanding of the cosmos.