URBAN GLOW, ECOLOGICAL SHADOWS: THE NEED OF LIGHT POLLUTION LAWS

There was a time when we could gaze at the night sky with our naked eyes and watch fireflies glowing in the dark.

- DR. PYALI CHATTERJEE & MAITREYEE TEMBHEKAR

That was the most beautiful part of our childhood—when we would catch fireflies with our bare hands and use them like tiny torches while playing. Today, these moments have become nothing but memories. In cities, we can no longer see stars, even on a clear full-moon night, nor can we spot fireflies. Perhaps in the outskirts, one might still witness a sky full of stars and the magical flicker of fireflies.

But why are we talking about this today? Because we are all responsible for what is happening around us. Through this research, we aim to highlight the issue of light pollution, as it is high time we discuss its impact on our environment.

In 1994, a powerful earthquake shook Los Angeles, leaving it in ruins and in the dark. As the ground shook and neighborhoods were struck by power outages, something unexpected happened: people looked up. Without the usual city lights, the night sky displayed a magnificent sight. Locals called emergency services and observatories after spotting an odd, glowing "cloud" in the sky. Many of them were seeing the Milky Way for the first time.