Forgotten Blank Space: An Analysis of Air and Light Pollution in New York City

In late August 2024, a friend and I attended a stargazing event at the Highline in New York City. The event was hosted by the Amateur Astronomers Association (AAA) and provided me with my first impression of how astronomy can operate in the city. Founded in 1927 in New York City, the AAA is a nonprofit organization that promotes awareness of astronomy through public outreach. They host numerous weekly stargazing events, beginner and intermediate astronomy courses, and publish their own magazine titled Eyepiece. The event I visited was community-oriented, accessible, and very informative and developed. As a young and aspiring astronomer, this was an extremely special opportunity.

When my friend and I arrived, several members of the AAA were setting up telescopes on the Highline. We were invited to peer through their telescopes at planets and stars. The hosts of the event explained what the scopes were trained on, and provided astronomy facts on relevant topics. For example, Alcor and Mizar, two stars in the handle of the Big Dipper asterism, were visible through one of the telescopes. The two stars comprise a binary star system, an astronomical phenomenon that occurs when two stars are gravitationally bound and orbit each other. The owner of the telescope described the function of binary stars and how they can be detected through diligent cosmic observation. Additionally, Venus was visible just over New Jersey, and Deneb (the tail star in Cygnus) was shining directly above our heads. Several other constellations were discernible in the night sky; The Big Dipper, Lyra, and Delphinus to name a few. The hosts of the stargazing event shared knowledge and information with inquisitive passersby and curious students from 7:00 PM until 9:30 PM.

However, the capabilities of the telescopes and observers were impeded by a significant environmental factor that all city-dwellers are familiar with. Oftentimes, the hosts themselves were unable to locate certain stars and constellations in the night sky due to this singular perpetrator: pollution. Light and air pollution rendered the biggest, brightest constellations in the Northern Hemisphere dim and faint. The bright lights and towering buildings of Chelsea, Manhattan concealed stars that are typically strikingly apparent in clear, dark, suburban areas. However, in this urban setting, it would be inconceivable to expect the same abundance of stars, planets, and constellations that are visible in rural locations. Stargazing is dependent upon a night sky with favorable conditions, and so considering the inevitable pollution of the city, the AAA performed to the best of their ability. A combination of factors obscure the stars in New York City, and it was no different on the Highline. Despite this major obstacle, astronomers continue to pursue stargazing in the city, and their selfless contributions to the public education of astronomy are far from futile.

According to the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA), an organization dedicated to combating light pollution, the phenomenon can be defined as “the inappropriate or excessive use of artificial light.” Light pollution functions as a sensory pollutant, influencing how human senses perceive an environment. Also known as skyglow, light pollution is characterized by lurid, shining lights that hinder sight, such as LED billboards, glaring buildings, and fluorescent street lamps. Dust, vapor, and other particles composed in urban environments are illuminated by these beams, creating a net of molecules that scatter and reflect light. This hemisphere of trapped light obstructs a clear view of the sky, even on a cloudless night. In New York City, the sky is replaced by a whitish glowing dome above the imposing skyscrapers and bridges. 

Artificial light not only prevents access to starry nights but also disrupts the circadian rhythms of city dwellers. Interference with the circadian rhythm, the body’s naturally occurring 24-hour cycle of physical and mental behavior, induces insomnia, hormonal imbalance, and many other deregulated bodily functions. In other words, the human body depends on the visible distinction between light and dark to activate or inhibit certain bodily functions. New York City squirrels, pigeons, rodents, raccoons, insects, and other animals are not unaltered by this occurrence. In fact, the majority of life on Earth—humans, animals, and even plants—possess circadian rhythms. Artificial light interrupts the natural tempo of life, infringing on the physical and mental health of lifeforms everywhere. Bird migration patterns, animal nesting, habitat reformation, and even the rest cycle of trees are influenced by light pollution. As a result, the well-being and high proficiency of Earth’s natural systems are severely impacted.

Although excessive light is an acute sensory pollutant that significantly impedes biological function, it is not the only harmful contaminant in New York City. Air pollution, another detrimental form of contamination, is caused by motor vehicles, industrial facilities, and household combustion devices such as space heaters, ovens, wood- or coal-burning stoves, and fireplaces. The most prominent health concerns engendered by air pollution result from carbon monoxide, ozone, particulate matter, and nitrogen dioxide (WHO). Nitrogen dioxide is a gaseous pollutant present in smog and air pollution. Particulate matter is composed of solid and liquid particles suspended in the air, typically dust, smoke, or micro-plastics, which, when inhaled or ingested, can produce serious health and environmental risks. Particulate matter can lead to strokes, heart disease, lung cancer, and respiratory diseases. Air pollution is estimated to cause approximately 6% of deaths (480,000 individuals), in New York City annually. Globally, 7 million people die from air pollution-related causes each year. According to the New York Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, “Young children and elderly people are hit particularly hard by health problems caused by air pollution, as are those in low-income neighbourhoods where air pollution is typically highest.”

Air pollution perpetuates global warming and originates from climate change. It is the product of human-made contaminants, which in turn contribute to global environmental deterioration. The relationship between air pollution and the human lifestyle forms a vicious circle. The vehicles that we regularly depend on to travel release fumes and toxins that directly impact our health. In essence, the very structure of our civilization operates in contradiction to our well-being. Humans are inextricably bound to technology, and because our society cannot function without machines, we contribute to the degradation of our ecosystems, and thus, ourselves. 

Air pollution is a complex case that requires a complex solution, however, there are habits that New York City citizens can engage in daily to reduce their carbon footprint. A carbon footprint is the amount of greenhouse gasses released into the environment as a result of an individual’s, corporation’s, or product’s actions. By shifting particular aspects of their lifestyle, an individual can assist in reversing climate change and the destruction of Earth’s ecosystems. Minimizing air travel, eating a plant-based diet, reusing and recycling, purchasing local produce, and switching to renewable energy sources are several of a myriad of methods by which one can reduce one’s carbon footprint. Air conditioners and heating units often exhaust large amounts of energy, which increases electricity production and releases copious levels of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. When a significant amount of carbon dioxide accumulates in the atmosphere, heat is trapped and global warming is exacerbated. This phenomenon is known as the Greenhouse Gas Effect. Decreasing excessive usage of air conditioning and heating would contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere. Additionally, making use of public transportation, bicycles, and walking would help lower emissions from cars, motorcycles, and other vehicles that release harmful pollutants. 

Ultimately, there is only so much that one individual—or even an entire community—can accomplish to considerably improve climate change and global warming. This is because the largest carbon footprints belong to multimillion-dollar corporations and organizations—the majority of which are fossil fuel producers—who are extremely opposed to ceasing their operations, regardless of the damage inflicted on the environment. These corporations include Shell, BP, ExxonMobil, and Chevron, all of which are mass-producing oil and natural gas companies. Reducing the global carbon footprint would require the worldwide transition to renewable energy sources like hydro, solar, and wind power. It would depend on the development of sustainable agricultural practices, public transportation, electricity production, land use and forestry, and policy and governance. These societal, economic, and political advancements cannot be achieved by a single individual, or even an organization or coalition. They threaten the global economy by threatening climate-destructive profit and thus require a large-scale movement. The only individuals who can implement effective and efficient change are the world leaders and politicians in power. For this reason, activism is just as crucial as riding a bicycle or reusing a plastic container. Although individuals comprise only a fraction of global carbon emissions, collective advocacy for radical change and innovation would prove extremely persuasive and pivotal.

Air and light pollution not only collaborate to destroy the health and well-being of the environment, animals, and humans, but also prevent accessibility to nature—an inalienable element of human culture and society. The inability to see the sky at night due to extreme air pollution should be deemed a human rights violation. Needless to say, artificial light is essential to safe living conditions. Especially in an urban region, where a substantial amount of individuals are concentrated in a relatively small-scale area, light promotes alertness and awareness at night. Human eyes are not suited to dark conditions—we are not nocturnal creatures. Artificial light has proven effective in lowering traffic accidents, discouraging street crime, kidnappings, or homicide, and even serving as something of a lighthouse beacon—symbolizing security and shelter to those in need. However, in excessive use, artificial light is extremely detrimental to biological functions and environmental systems. In order to solve the solution of air and light pollution in New York City, the following questions must be asked: Is it possible to have both an artificially-lit city and a healthy, prospering environment? The city has been passing and enforcing a number of policies which aim to limit harmful and excessive emissions from motor vehicles. Can these efforts be implemented in more regions of the United States? Will we have to lose access to the sky before we understand the ramifications of our actions? 

Astronomy is considered one of the most accessible and affordable interests. The only necessary equipment in astronomy is a clear, dark sky and curious eyes; telescopes, binoculars, and other instruments only complement our natural abilities. However, the consequences of light and air pollution complicate astronomy for observers in both rural and urban regions. Non-profit organizations like the Amateur Astronomers Association endeavor to make astronomy available despite these environmental inhibitors, however, it’s becoming increasingly more difficult as climate change worsens.

Throughout the majority of the month of April 2025, I participated in a three week-long youth arts, writing, and photography program in Malaysia. The trip, hosted by my high school, occurs twice a year: in February to Bungamati, Nepal, and in April to Pulau Tuba, Malaysia. Last year, I had the opportunity to venture to Bungamati, and this year, I traveled to Pulau Tuba. During these trips, fifteen high school students spend ten days working at a local middle school, teaching students photography and English. As we guide our students to operate cameras and prepare a portfolio for the final photography exhibition, we form close bonds with them. Immersed in the culture and environments of these new lands, it is incredibly difficult to leave. While in Malaysia, I was not only enamored with the thriving biodiversity and communities, but the night sky. Light and air pollution on Pulau Tuba is practically nonexistent, largely due to its isolation from large cities. I had the opportunity to stargaze each morning and night, exposed to constellations such as Orion, Cassiopeia, Scorpius, Ursa Major, Cygnus, Delphinus, Lyra, Aquila, and even the Full Moon.

Amidst the chaos of New York City and my intensifying responsibilities as a high school student, I rarely have the time to look up and admire the night sky. When I do, it isn’t exactly the most rewarding, as the majority of the sky is obscured by interfering lights and structures. As both a citizen of New York City and a student of astronomy, I am very cognizant of how my living condition impacts my passions. Whenever I have the opportunity to visit a rural location, such as Pulau Tuba, I take advantage of the clear air and vast, uninterrupted skies. I dream that one day, I will return to Malaysia, or travel to Montana, Greenland, or even Namibia, where air pollution is less prominent and the cosmos is flawless and unsullied. It is in regions like these, where climate change is less dominant, that remnants of a purer world are discernible. I imagine looking up at the same universe that my ancestors thrived in thousands of years ago, watching the same meteor showers, the same constellations. The night sky was a celebrated tapestry of culture, history, and mathematics, not the forgotten blank space that it resembles today.

References

Air pollution. (n.d.). World Health Organization (WHO). Retrieved September 30, 2024, from https://www.who.int/health-topics/air-pollution#tab=tab_1 

Air pollution and the health of New Yorkers: The impact of fine particles and ozone. (n.d.). C40 Knowledge Hub. Retrieved September 30, 2024, from https://www.c40knowledgehub.org/s/article/Air-pollution-and-the-health-of-New-Yorkers-The-impact-of-fine-particles-and-ozone?language=en_US 

Outdoor Air Quality. (n.d.). NYC.gov. Retrieved September 30, 2024, from https://www.nyc.gov/site/doh/health/health-topics/air-quality-air-pollution-protection.page 

Sources of Greenhouse Gas Emissions | US EPA. (2024, July 8). Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Retrieved September 30, 2024, from https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/sources-greenhouse-gas-emissions 

Stanley, A. (2023, June 22). Stop Ruining Starry Nights. The New York Times. Retrieved September 30, 2024, from https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/15/realestate/light-pollution-effects.html#