Resources
Here are some external links to websites, specific web pages, and a few PDF documents. These links will help you learn more about the night sky, how to keep our skies dark, and provide good information about proper and safe lighting that doesn’t destroy the wonders of the night sky.
Defending the Dark, a film by Tara Roberts Zabriskie.
The film Defending the Dark educates viewers on why it is important to preserve dark sky areas while emphasizing the unique dark sky environment of northern Maine.
Dark sky conservation benefits wildlife and their habitats, reduces health and safety risks to humans, saves energy, and reduces costs. Light pollution has devastating effects on migrating birds, native plants, and pollinators. Defending the Dark is now available to stream online through Maine Public at: video.mainepublic.org/video/defending-the-dark-ybnlvw/.
Dark Sky International
IDA is the largest world-wide organization to promote dark skies. Below are a series of links to specific pages on their large website that may be useful.Light Pollution and our Night Sky Heritage
Light Pollution and Human Health
Light Pollution—Lighting, Crime, and Safety
Light Pollution Effects on Wildlife and Ecosystems
Light Pollution Wastes Energy and Money
Night Sky Education Resources in Maine & Northern New England
Maine Astronomy Clubs & Organizations
Astronomical Society of Northern New England, Kennebunk, ME
Central Maine Astronomical Society, Whitefield, Lincolnville, Damariscotta, ME
Downeast Amateur Astronomers, Pembroke, Calais, ME
Penobscot Valley Star Gazers, Bangor, ME
Southern Maine Astronomers, Portland, Brunswick, ME
Eagle Hill Institute, Steuben, ME
Massachusetts Astronomy Clubs & Organizations
Amateur Telescope Makers of Boston, Boston, MA
Gloucester Area Astronomy Club, Gloucester, MA
North Shore Amateur Astronomy Club, Andover, MA
New Hampshire Astronomy Clubs & Organizations
New Hampshire Astronomical Society
Maine Planetaria
Francis Malcolm Science Center and Planetarium, Easton, Maine, 207.488.5451
Northern Stars Planetarium, Fairfield, Maine, 207.453.7668
Southworth Planetarium University of Southern Maine, Portland, Maine, 207.780.4249
Versant Power Astronomy Center, University of Maine, Orono, Maine. 207.581.1341
Proper Lighting for Dark Skies
A Lighting Engineer Speaks.pdf, by Dwight M. Lanpher
Lighting Manual, Promoting Quality Outdoor Lighting in your Community.pdf, by the Maine State Planning Office
Scotopic vs. Photopic.pdf, a scientific look at how our eyes see under different light sources, by Samuel M. Berman, PhD.
Samuel Berman is presently senior scientist emeritus at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL). He was the originator and the first leader of the lighting research program. Before joining LBNL, he was professor of physics at Stanford University, where he was a member of the team that founded the Stanford Linear Accelerator.
Human and Environmental Effects of Light Emitting Diode (LED) Community Lighting.pdf, by The Council on Science and Public Health, 2016.