Lowell Observatory

Research facilities like Lowell’s Discovery Channel Telescope or the Navy Precision Optical Interferometer are exquisitely sensitive to even tiny amounts of light pollution. But losing the darkness of night has a host of other impacts. Increasing nighttime sky glow adversely affects ecologically sensitive areas. Disruption of the natural light-dark cycle affects human

circadian rhythms and has demonstrable health impacts. The night sky is an important part of many cultural traditions. And many kids grow up in urban centers without ever seeing the Milky Way or a sky dotted with brilliant stars – a source of wonder and inspiration for humankind since ancient times.