Check out the video below to learn more about the negative effects of light pollution:

Light pollution also negatively impacts animals that rely on darkness to hide from predators, stalk their prey or navigate — because believe it or not, some animals (such as baby sea turtles) actually need the blackness of night to help them find their way since their instincts tell them to follow the brightest light (ie. the moon).

Watch this video to see what can be done to darken beach communities to help baby sea turtles more easily find their way to the ocean:

So if you’re interested in seeing Mars cut through a star cluster, seeing Neptune stop moving, or just finding out how many constellations you can recognize, be sure to find a place to go with a low Bortle scale score (5 or less is ideal; Newark, DE is an 8!) so you can make the most out of your night sky gazing.

And also, do your part to help prevent light pollution and protect the Environmental Wellness of our planet.

The following links will help you learn more about the Bortle scale and Light pollution and find other Night Sky events:

• Understanding the Bortle Scale
• Light Pollution Map
• Clear Outside Night Sky Forecast
• Light Pollution Explained
• Virtual and In-Person Night Skies Events — at the Franklin Institute Observatory
• Virtual and In-Person Night Skies Events — through the National Park Service