For more than a century, artificial lighting has transformed our nights—brightening our homes, streets, and cities. But only recently have scientists begun to fully understand the hidden costs of this constant illumination. Light pollution is now recognized as a significant factor affecting wildlife behavior, human health, and the balance of our environment. In this talk, we’ll explore why natural darkness is essential—not just for ecosystems, but for our own physical, mental, and emotional well-being. We’ll look at how excessive nighttime lighting disrupts sleep cycles, impacts animals, and alters natural rhythms that have existed for millennia. We’ll also focus on practical solutions. You’ll learn simple, effective ways to reduce light pollution at home and in your neighborhood—strategies that can improve your health, lower energy costs, and help restore the night sky for everyone.

Presenter Bio: Stephan Martin is an astronomer, educator, and author who helps people reconnect with the natural world through the night sky. He has taught astronomy, physics, and sustainability at colleges, universities, and learning centers for over thirty-five years, and has worked as an instrument specialist for the Hubble Space Telescope and as Observatory Supervisor at Williams College, where he joined global eclipse expeditions studying the solar corona. Through talks and stargazing experiences, he invites audiences to rediscover the beauty and importance of dark skies.