Dark-sky movement

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The dark-sky movement is a campaign by people who want to reduce light pollution, in order to "reclaim" the night sky so people can see the stars, to reduce the effects of unnatural lighting on the environment, and to cut down on energy usage.

The movement started with professional and amateur astronomers who were alarmed that nocturnal glow from urban areas was blotting out the sight of stars. For example, the Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles is useless for astronomy, because of daytime smog and nighttime light pollution, while world-famous Palomar Observatory is threatened by California sprawl.

The movement has since spread with groups like the International Dark-Sky Association, as other concerns have been raised. For example, nocturnal animals can be harmed by light pollution.

The dark-sky movement's main activity is to encourage the use of full cutoff lights, that cast little or no light upward, in public areas and generally to encourage communities to adopt lighting regulations.