And finally… Now you see it…

Now you don’t! York has ambitions to become the UK’s first ‘dark sky city’, as experts from York St John University lead the charge to combat nocturnal light pollution.

The university brought together experts and astronomers for an illuminating discussion on how to combat excessive nighttime lighting, which, it says, has a negative impact on wildlife and climate change.

Techniques to reduce problems include using warm white LED lighting, switching lights off at times they’re not needed, and ensuring lights point down towards the ground instead of up at the sky.

The Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors have had designated Dark Sky status since 2020, but as of yet, a UK city has yet to achieve the accolade.

Dr Jen Hall, associate professor of tourism and events at York St John University said: “More than a third of Yorkshire’s land area is under some form of dark sky designation, with a handful of villages now included too. But as yet the UK has no Dark Sky city.

“We believe York has the potential, knowledge and impetus to be the first. By coming together, we can protect our night skies for future generations and make York a model for responsible lighting in cities across the UK.”

Now, if they could have a word with the council about the streetlight that stays on all night outside my bedroom window…