JMU shining a light on light pollution

The disappearing nighttime sky has long been an astronomers’ problem. According to some studies, more than 98 percent of the population of the United States will never see the Milky Way again.

Beyond robbing us of unimpeded views of the stars and planets, however, light pollution — humans’ overuse and misuse of artificial light at night — wastes energy, disrupts our circadian rhythms, threatens ecosystems and even affects our health.

Shanil Virani, assistant professor of physics and astronomy and director of the John C. Wells Planetarium at James Madison University, and Dr. Paul Bogard, author of “The End of Night: Searching for Natural Darkness in an Age of Artificial Light” (2013) and an assistant professor of English at JMU, are leading a series of events on campus and in the Harrisonburg community March 24-29 to raise awareness of light pollution and to discuss solutions.

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