Campus SHINE Lights the Way to Responsible Campus Illumination
DarkSky International’s lighting guide.
DarkSky International
On clear nights, a few of my college classmates and I used to load the Physics and Astronomy Department’s telescopes into a car and drive out behind one of the fire stations. There we’d set up the tripods and telescopes, wait for them to acclimate to the temperature, and work on our observing projects.
Although the fire station was just a few miles down the road, it was far darker than anywhere on campus, where streetlamps lined roads and walkways, spotlights illuminated signs and sculptures, and stadium lights blazed to the heavens.
Our campus, like many others, made liberal use of light. That made it safer, right?
Research shows that while adding more light can make outdoor areas safer, indiscriminate lighting actually reduces visibility by introducing glare. And dispelling darkness has other negative consequences—disrupting sleep patterns, harming ecosystems, increasing energy costs, and limiting the human experience of the night sky. Smart lighting choices and simple shields can alleviate much of the problem, if people are willing to take action.
As Radiations readers know, students often drive change.
That recognition is at the heart of Campus SHINE: Safe and Healthy Illumination for the Nighttime Environment, an American Astronomical Society initiative that promotes responsible, thoughtful campus lighting. The initiative challenges students to lead collaborative efforts on campus to address this straightforward yet persistent problem.
A Campus SHINE Guide, developed by experts in astronomy, lighting design, environmental science, and sustainability, details a roadmap for change inspired by successful efforts at Truman State University, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Smith College, and other institutions.
Sigma Pi Sigma chapters—which bring together alumni, faculty members, and current students—are well positioned to spearhead this effort on their campus. To learn more and get started, download the guide and check out success stories at CampusShine.org .
