Late Saturday night on Rush Street hundreds of singles are out searching for heavenly bodies to trade numbers with. But for Dennis Erickson, a science teacher at the Latin School, and five members of his Sidewalk Astronomy Club, a recent evening was a chance to look at objects of a truly celestial nature.
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He means the eerie orange glow that in urban areas has replaced the natural black of the night sky. It’s caused by light from unshaded street lamps, which travels skyward and scatters across dust particles. The result is a persistent haze that blocks our view of the stars and creates a host of other problems.
Erickson says light pollution has health, environmental, and philosophical consequences. For instance, excessive glare from street lamps and security lights cuts into the darkness that is necessary for perfect sleep.
“People at first were afraid [our stargazing] was a panhandle, a prank, or that we’re preaching religion,” says Erickson. “Because there aren’t many things free without a catch these days.”
