Stellafane Dark Skies Page
includes Good Outdoor Lighting info
Naturally Dark Skies are part of human heritage, but a growing world population, relatively inexpensive power, and new lighting technologies have lead to brighter nights. If you live in a populated area you probably cannot see the Milky Way and only a very few bright stars.
Fortunately, Stellafane still has some of the darkest skies in New England - our rural location with no big population centers nearby, aided by fortunately placed hills and forests, has spared us from major impact. But we are well aware that can not be taken for granted, and are working to keep it dark.
Light Pollution is any adverse effect of artificial light including sky glow, glare, light trespass, light clutter, decreased visibility at night, and energy waste.
DarkSky International lists light pollution as disrupting wildlife, impacting human well-being, wasting money and energy, contributing to climate change, and blocking our view of the universe. Learn More
Responsible Outdoor Lighting is a win for everyone: eliminating glare helps everyone see better at night, which increases safety, reduces energy use and decreases sky glow. Learn More
Stellafane urges you to help solve this problem. DarkSky International has provided leadership and great results in reducing light pollution world-wide. They need your support; please consider joining and supporting them today if you have not already.
DarkSky International has local chapters world-wide. If you live in the northeast United States and Canada, there are local chapters in Vermont, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Quebec. All DarkSky Chapters
Satellite Swarms are a new problem - their reflections are also brightening the night sky and their tracks are impacting professional and amateur astronomy. Ruskin Hartley, CEO of DarkSky International, presented a talk on this topic at the Stellafane Hartness House Workshop in August 2026 which you can view here - very informative!
The Springfield Telescope Makers are very grateful for the help and support provided by DarkSky International (as well as many other individuals and organizations) in negotiating an agreement with the State of Vermont to significantly reduce light pollution at the Southern Vermont Correctional Facility ("Springfield Prison") which opened a few miles from Stellafane in 2003 (See Stellafane 2003 News Item).