This video on the challenge of increasing light pollution is a part of collaboration between International Astronomical Union's Office for Astronomy Research (IAU OAO) and Kainaat Studios. A companion essay for this video is available at: https://www.iau.org/public/themes/light_pollution/ Stars in the night sky have played a crucial role in the history of humans on this planet. They have not only helped us in providing appropriate times for planting crops and in finding directions in the middle of deserts and oceans, but our queries about their nature have also sparked some of the biggest revolutions in human perceptions of our place in the universe. But now the increasing glow from our light bulbs is threatening the existence of various species on the planet. A new study suggests that the night sky may be brightening at a rate of 7-10% each year! In this episode of Cosmic Gup Shup, astrophysicist Salman Hameed talks about the steps we can take to reduce light pollution and protect the night sky, which holds an important place in various cultures and societies. For information on light pollution and the steps that you can take to help, please visit: International Dark Sky Association: https://www.darksky.org/ International Astronomical Union Commission: https://www.iau.org/public/themes/light_pollution/ IAU Light Pollution Brochure: https://www.iau.org/public/images/detail/light-pollution-brochure/ Papers mentioned in the video: Kyba et al. 2023: Citizen scientists report global rapid reductions in the visibility of stars from 2011 to 2022 https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.abq7781 Fabian et al. 2023: Why flying insects gather at artificial light https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2023.04.11.536486v1 Hamacher et al. 2020: Whitening the Sky: light pollution as a form of cultural genocide https://arxiv.org/abs/2001.11527 For more information about IAU OAO: https://www.iau.org/public/oao/ For more information about Kainaat Videos: https://www.kainaatstudios.com/ About the host: Salman Hameed has a PhD in astronomy and is Charles Taylor Chair and Professor of Integrated Science & Humanities at Hampshire College, and a member of the Five College Astronomy Department (FCAD) in Massachusetts, USA. He is also the CEO of the non-profit Kainaat Studios. Credits: Written & Hosted by: Salman Hameed Edited by: Shehryar Shaikh Music: “Kainaat” by Umer Piracha Subtitles by: DigiCircle Images: Wikipedia, NASA Major Support for Kainaat Studios Provided by: Sahr Foundation Dr. Zafar Iqbal & Dr. Mehr Iqbal PixelEdge Aimen Khan Slavena Emilova Molle AIIR Foundation Our Space Orbiter Donors for Kainaat Studios: Dr. Abdul Nadir Dr. Asad Ansari Dr. Salman Mallick Dr. Tariq Hameed Asif Alam Zubair Faiz Dr. Kamran Manzoor Dr. Arsalan Malik Thank you to all our other monthly donors as well! If you want to donate to the non-profit Kainaat Studios, please visit https://www.kainaatstudios.com/donate Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 01:05 IAU OAO - Collaboration 02:17 Cultural legacy of stars 05:12 Earth at night 06:10 Impact of light on animals 10:02 How bad is light pollution? 13:18 What can we do to reduce light pollution? 20:22 Conclusion

Here is a conversation about light pollution with Dr. Connie Walker. She is a Scientist at the US national center for optical-infrared astronomy (NSF’s NOIRLab). She is involved with light pollution issues on the ground and in space, coordinating NOIRLab’s Office of Observatory Site Protection. She directs Globe at Night, the international citizen-science program that rates night sky brightness. The conversation is hosted by the Director of International Astronomical Union's Office for Astronomy Outreach (IAU-OAO), Dr. Kelly Blumenthal, and the founder of Kainaat Studios, Dr. Salman Hameed. For information on light pollution and the steps that you can take to help, please visit: International Dark Sky Association: https://www.darksky.org/ International Astronomical Union Commission: https://www.iau.org/public/themes/light_pollution/ IAU Light Pollution Brochure: https://www.iau.org/public/images/detail/light-pollution-brochure/ Papers mentioned in the video: Kyba et al. 2023: Citizen scientists report global rapid reductions in the visibility of stars from 2011 to 2022 https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.abq7781 For more information about IAU OAO: https://www.iau.org/public/oao/ For more information about Kainaat Videos: https://www.kainaatstudios.com/