Skyglow is a type of light pollution that results from artificial light scattering in the Earth’s atmosphere, causing the night sky to appear brighter. This phenomenon is primarily caused by widespread urban lighting, including street lamps, exterior and interior lighting of buildings, billboards, and other sources of artificial light. Here are the main contributors:
- Street, State Highway and Motorway Lighting: These are among the most significant contributors to skyglow because they are abundant and often poorly directed, shining light upward as well as downward.
- Commercial Properties: Large commercial areas and business districts with extensive lighting installations, especially those that operate at night, add significantly to skyglow.
- Residential Areas: The cumulative effect of outdoor lighting from homes, including porch lights and decorative lighting, contributes to skyglow, especially in densely populated areas.
- Industrial Facilities: These often operate around the clock and may use large, bright lights that contribute to skyglow.
- Advertising and Billboards: Brightly lit billboards and digital displays can contribute to skyglow, especially in urban environments.
Efforts to mitigate skyglow typically involve improving lighting design to reduce unnecessary upward illumination and implementing regulations that limit excessive light use. This is the responsibility of both policymakers and community members, as well as those who design and install lighting systems.
