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Throughout history, light has been considered good. The discovery of fire not only provided heat in the cold — it also gave light in the dark.

We are instinctively drawn to light and shy away from dark. Light means not only illumination from the sun or electricity — it also means knowledge, spiritual awareness, understanding … even a distinguished person or someone who is adored.

To see a dramatic contrast, take a look at satellite photos of the Korean Peninsula. According to GlobalSecurity.org:

South Korea is bright, North Korea is dark. This amazing image is included in the standard US Department of Defense briefings on North Korea. It was mentioned in a news briefing on 23 December 2002 by Defense Secretary Rumsfeld, who stated that "If you look at a picture from the sky of the Korean Peninsula at night, South Korea is filled with lights and energy and vitality and a booming economy; North Korea is dark."

Yet today we hear talk about "light pollution" and calls for ordinances to save the "dark skies" from some groups and individuals. What is "light pollution"? Air pollution means toxins in the air; water pollution means toxins in the water. But "light pollution" doesn't mean toxins in the light. This phrase is used to refer to electric lights in urban areas that interfere with amateur astronomers who want to engage in their hobby in their own backyards. And sometimes it's used even more loosely; in an article about viewing a meteor, WKYC.com says:

Secondly, the moon will be nearly full tonight and will produce a secondary source for light pollution.

How can the moon, which is as much a part of the night sky as stars and meteors, be "light pollution"?

According to David B. Kopel and Michael Loatman, "Advocates of harshly restrictive dark sky laws have invented the phrase 'light pollution,' a misleading term that should be banished from public discussion." Kopel and Loatman, both amateur astronomers, wrote the issue paper "Dark Sky Ordinances: How to Separate the Light from the Darkness" for the Independence Institute, a nonprofit think tank. The entire report is available for download here.

Many law enforcement agencies and other organizations interested in public safety are concerned that restrictive "dark sky" ordinances are being passed by municipalities, often because the elected officials don't have access to complete information.

The purpose of the Illumination and Education Society: Light Sky Dark Sky is to provide facts and information about the night sky, dark sky ordinances, light pollution, light and safety, lighting and commerce/business/taxes, and energy cost savings. Our goal is urban areas that have adequate lighting for safety and commerce, where businesses thrive and produce tax revenue, and where people of varying interests live together in harmony. Toward that end, we are committed to providing up-to-date and complete information to anyone interested in the night sky, safety, energy conservation, business, and tax revenues.

The site is constantly being developed and expanded. Return soon for more information. And if you'd like to stay informed — and perhaps share information and questions with us — sign up to join us.