Quick links.
International Dark-Sky Association
— Timely and relevant information about night sky protection efforts around the world from IDA-global.
Adler Planetarium
— Stay connected with the museum, with science and astronomy, with our universe—and with each other—exactly where you are.
Night Sky Tourist
A great resource by Vicky Derksen – writer, educator, podcaster, and Dark Sky advocate who loves nature and the night sky.
My website will help you discover the night sky in a whole new way. My goal is to help you learn the night sky so you can identify constellations, find planets, enjoy a great meteor shower, and fall in love with the dark. I introduce you to great dark sky destinations where you can have fun experiences under the night sky. I share ancient cultural astronomy such as indigenous star stories and the astronomical sites that were built hundreds and thousands of years ago. I give you ideas for creating your own backyard stargazing oasis. And I show you how you can advocate for dark sky preservation where you live.
Light Pollution News
A Podcast Shedding The Light Only Where Needed
Learn all about the issues surrounding light pollution, including everything from technical innovations to cultural resonance to ecological impacts to crime. Each month, Bill McGeeney keeps you up to date on the all the news around light pollution from the US and beyond!
Forest Preserve of Cook County – Dark Skies
From the thousands of stars visible on a dark night to the arc of nebulous light rising across the Milky Way, the night sky is inspiring. But light pollution produced by humans, especially in dense urban areas like Cook County, threatens our ability to experience the wonder and beauty of a truly dark night sky. The Forest Preserves is working with partner organizations to ensure that our special landscapes and skies are there for future generations to enjoy. Learn More.
IDA Starry Skies Lake Superior
— Working in Duluth and other communities around lake Superior to become certified International Dark Sky Places.
Night Habitats
A short video about the importance of natural darkness for the ecosystem. A must watch!
A Land of Perpetual False Dawn
Commercial greenhouses contribute significantly to light pollution, often surpassing the output of entire towns. Regulations and technology can help mitigate the impact on dark skies.
Geneva Lake Dark Sky Inititative
— A broad-based community movement committed to raising awareness about light pollution in the Geneva Lake area.
Light Pollution / Light Trends Interactive Map
— On the toolbar at the top left, select the Polygon Tool and draw an outline around where you want to check. Double click to finish the selection. Then you’ll get a plot of the light emission since 2012.
BirdCast – Bird Migration Forecast
Showcasing the spectacle of bird migration: When, where, and how far will birds migrate? How many birds passed last night? These tools help you explore the answers to these and many other questions about bird migration.
Bird Migration Forecast Maps
Local Bird Migration Alerts
Live Bird Migration Maps
and more
Illinois Coalition for Responsible Outdoor Lighting
The Illinois Coalition for Responsible Outdoor Lighting is a group of Illinois citizens who share a commitment to work toward the reduction of wasteful, harmful lighting practices within our state.
Chicago Bird Collision Monitors
Chicago Bird Collision Monitors (CBCM) is a volunteer conservation project dedicated to the protection of migratory birds through rescue, advocacy and outreach. CBCM works to protect and recover migratory birds that are killed and injured in the downtown Chicago area each spring and fall migration.
IAU CENTRE FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE DARK AND QUIET SKY FROM SATELLITE CONSTELLATION INTERFERENCE
Astronomers became acutely aware of the impact of satellite constellations with the launch of the first 60 Starlink satellites in May 2019. Thereafter, 150 experts from astronomy, industry, space policy and the wider community conducted months of research before presenting and then publishing on the impact of satellite constellations on astronomy. A principal goal of the SATCON1 workshop and the Dark & Quiet Skies 1 conference was to first identify the issues and formulate recommendations toward mitigation.
Flagstaff Dark Skies Coalition
Our Mission: To celebrate, promote, and protect the glorious dark skies of Flagstaff and Northern Arizona; and to demonstrate by example strategies that are proven to protect and improve dark skies.
Restoring Darkness
A podcast about science, design, and the importance of darkness. Lighting Experts Michael Colligan & Starlight Son Chèz join in conversation with guests to discuss the issues of light pollution and potential solutions to this drastically overlooked form of climate change.
Naperville Astronomical Association
The Naperville Astronomical Association is an astronomy club with over 200 people who share an interest in exploring the universe beyond our planet, both with our eyes and our minds. We have found our enjoyment of astronomy can be enhanced when we share it with others; the young and old, the beginner, advanced amateur, and the professional
Fox Valley Astronomical Association
This club consists of Astronomy enthusiasts with varying skill sets ranging from novice to expert. Interests range from Binocular viewing and visual observing to Astrophotography. The club has a diverse base of members from the Fox Valley area including Batavia, Elburn, Geneva, St. Charles and the surrounding communities.
Bettymaya Foott Photography
Hi! I'm Bettymaya. I love all kinds of photography and specialize in astrophotography. Visit my website to see and purchase my work.
Half the Park is After Dark
Dr. Tyler Nordgren is a professional astronomer and artist. He holds a Ph.D. in Astronomy from Cornell University where he did work on dark matter as well as a B.A. in Physics from Reed College. For over a decade he has worked with the National Park Service to turn the national parks into the single largest source for public science and astronomy education in the world. His popular science book “Stars Above, Earth Below: A guide to astronomy in the national parks,” reveals what visitors to America’s national parks can observe in their dark night skies. The color illustrations in this book include both his night sky photography as well as vintage-style “travel posters” he designed to help the public learn about and see the astronomical wonders in the sky.
Dr. Nordgren’s work has appeared at NASA Headquarters and the White House where he designed the poster for President Obama’s final White House Astronomy Night. In 2012, NASA’s Curiosity rover joined Spirit and Opportunity on Mars, each carrying sundials, or “Marsdials” which Dr. Nordgren helped design through his science and art. Dr. Nordgren also leads astronomically themed tours for various companies to see the beauty of the northern lights in Alaska, dark skies in the Grand Canyon rafting the Colorado River, and locations around the world following the shadow of the Moon to share the glory of a total solar eclipse with the general public.