The End of Night: Searching for Natural Darkness in an Age of Artificial Light by Paul Bogard

Do you remember seeing the Milky Way? Has it been a while? I remember seeing it, probably growing up in the suburbs and definitely on camping trips, but not for many years. Paul Bogard eloquently describes the artificial brightening of our skies at night, and why this matters. He travels around Europe, North America, and to some islands to talk with lighting designers, night shift workers, park rangers, naturalists, and astronomers to discuss light pollution and to observe the wonders of the night sky in some of the Northern Hemisphere’s darkest places. More energy-efficient, shielded light fixtures can go a long way to limit light pollution and reduce energy usage, and the author explores whether brightly light streets, buildings, and parking lots are the safest. Most of all, he shares with readers the wonders to be found in experiencing the sky at night.

Brenda