The Dark Side of Light
Light POLLUTION.
It might seem strange to think of light as something that can pollute. Yet, that's exactly what's happening in our modern world.
Over several centuries, we've become used to turning on lights after dark, assuming it's the natural thing to do. Yet it isn't. Plants, animals, and humans have lived with the regular pattern of daylight followed by darkness for millions of years. Our bodies naturally sync up with the rising and setting of the Sun.
Today, the disruption of this light / dark cycle has serious consequences, not only for our health, but also for the environment and the economy. Why is the increasing level of artificial light a problem? This show examines what light pollution really means, and what each of us can do about it.
The Dark Side of Light was produced by seven European astronomy and planetarium facilities. The primary goal of the show is to emphasise that the phenomenon of light pollution is very real - and it affects not only us, but the entire ecosystem. An additional aim of the project was to pool together the skills of professionals from different planetariums to create an excellent, freely-available fulldome (360°) show.
Preview the entire film below and download the narrative script here.
Film Type
KS2-KS5 / Families / Adults
Length: 21min
Also available in: Czech, German, Hungarian, Polish, Romanian and Slovak