Dark Sky

Here are the detailed criteria for luminaires to be certified to the DarkSky Approved Luminaires program v3.0: DarkSky Residential Luminaire criteria A. Output: Luminaire total light output shall not exceed 1,000 lumens. B. Uplight: No more than 50 lumens are allowed between 90 and 180 degrees above nadir (i.e., LCS zones UL and UH combined). [...]

DarkSky International has announced significant updates to its DarkSky Approved Luminaires program, a globally recognized certification initiative aimed at combating the escalating crisis of light pollution. Originally launched in 2002 as the Fixture Seal of Approval, the program has evolved into a trusted benchmark for manufacturers and consumers seeking lighting solutions that protect the nighttime [...]

By Chelsea Jones, Digital Marketing Manager at LED Lighting Supply External influences will continue shaping the commercial and industrial LED lighting market in 2025, from an AI-powered landscape to local market compliance, timber scarcity for poles, and tariff surges. Environmental forces, lighting advancements, and supply chain factors require facility managers, building owners, utility contractors, and [...]

On October 23, 2024, two significant bills were introduced aimed at protecting New York City’s bird population. These initiatives are part of a legislative package known as “Flaco’s Laws,” named after Flaco the owl, who died after flying into a building window following his escape from the Central Park Zoo in 2023. Details of the [...]

The NEMA/ANSI C78 Committee for Electric Lamp Standards has two working groups developing chromaticity standards addressing non-white light (NWL).  C78.377 working group This working group is revising the ANSI C78.377-2017 standard by adding 1800K and 2000K nominal and extended quadrangles. C78.378 working group  This working group is creating a new ANSI C78.378 standard defining long [...]

  In September 2024, McCormick Place completed the installation of bird-safe window film on its Lakeside Center, a crucial step in preventing future mass bird casualties. This initiative comes in response to a tragic incident in October 2023, when approximately 1,000 birds died in a single night after colliding with the building’s glass facade. The [...]

  A Finnish city has introduced innovative streetlights designed to protect nocturnal pollinators, such as moths. These new lights feature a warmer color temperature that is less disruptive to insects, particularly moths, which are crucial for biodiversity and food production. The initiative aims to create a more pollinator-friendly urban environment, aligning with broader environmental goals. [...]

  Artificial light at night can disorient sea turtles, and send them into car traffic, instead of the ocean. Sea turtle hatchlings are born on sandy beaches at night and must find the ocean by the light of the horizon. The problem isn’t new. Many coastal areas have enacted lighting regulations to protect sea turtles, [...]

  The American Lighting Association (ALA) and NEMA have provided requested comments to the DarkSky International Technical Committee to develop new outdoor and landscape luminaire specifications for certified dark sky luminaires, that go beyond the traditional shielding requirements.  Being considered are lumen limits, chromaticity ranges, controls and light distributions.  According to DarkSky, light pollution is [...]