Photographers from around the globe gathered their best night‑sky images for the sixth edition of the Capture the Dark competition, a contest that celebrates the beauty of dark skies while sounding the alarm on rising light pollution.
Record‑breaking participation
Organizers DarkSky International reported that more than 2,288 submissions were received, representing 30 nations. The entries spanned sweeping Milky Way panoramas, nocturnal wildlife scenes, adventurous star‑filled journeys, and powerful visual evidence of how artificial lighting is eroding the night.
Winning images
First‑place honors in the Nightscape category went to Paul Wilson for a panoramic view of the southern night sky captured in South Australia’s Flinders Ranges. In the Quality Lighting and Design category, Ross Steensland won with a cozy photograph of a mountain lookout hut in California, illustrating thoughtful illumination in a remote setting. The Impact of Light Pollution award was claimed by Kouyu Wang, whose image shows a newly launched Starlink satellite constellation over China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, underscoring how satellite constellations add to sky brightness.
Denmark‑born Dennis Lehtonen earned top honors in the Nighttime Adventures category with a dramatic aurora display over Prince Christian Sound in Greenland, reminding viewers of the awe‑inspiring phenomena that thrive when darkness is preserved.
Why darkness matters
DarkSky International’s spokesperson Drew Reagan emphasized that the contest serves a dual purpose: to showcase artistic excellence and to raise public awareness of a growing environmental issue. “Light pollution is expanding globally at an estimated rate of nearly 10% each year,” Reagan said. “It disrupts wildlife, affects human health and community well‑being, and makes it increasingly difficult for people to experience dark, star‑filled skies.”
Scientific studies link excessive artificial lighting to altered animal migration patterns, reduced pollination, and increased rates of sleep disorders in humans. Communities that preserve dark‑sky areas often report stronger ties to nature, improved mental health, and a sense of shared stewardship.
Efforts to protect the night
DarkSky International is working to reverse the trend through advocacy, education, and conservation programs that promote responsible outdoor lighting. The organization encourages municipalities, businesses, and homeowners to adopt lighting designs that minimize glare, reduce unnecessary illumination, and preserve the natural night environment.
Practical steps include using fully shielded fixtures, selecting lower‑intensity bulbs, and turning off lights when they are not needed. By adopting these measures, communities can protect both the health of their residents and the ecological balance of local wildlife.
How readers can help
Individuals can contribute by participating in local dark‑sky initiatives, supporting legislation that limits excessive lighting, and sharing night‑sky photography that celebrates the beauty of a star‑filled horizon. The Capture the Dark competition demonstrates that when people see the night’s splendor, they are more likely to act to preserve it for future generations.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
