Stargazing
2023.1-2023.5
Bring Awareness of Light Pollution to Urban People
How it started
Disturbed by Street Light
I was disturbed by the streetlight outside my window while trying to sleep. The light was so bright as if it were daytime. I tried to block the light by closing the curtain, but it only blocked a limited amount of light.
History of Using Light
Problem
More than 99% of the US population lives under light-polluted skies.
Humanity has enveloped our planet in a luminous fog that affects human health, animal behavior, and the opportunity to observe our galaxy.
Night Sky in the City
Lighting Situation in the City
4 Types of Light Pollution
Light Trespass
Light trespass is like noise—it can invade any gaps in spaces. causing poor sleep quality.
Fills
Overillumination from city lights creates a dome-like glow.
Assembles
Areas like commercial centers are designed with excessive lighting.
Glare
Electrical illumination can be so bright that it sometimes forces people to close their eyes.
Escape the City
Why Audrey .C Rust Commemorative Site
The site is located 10-15 minutes from residential areas by highway, plus 20-40 minutes on mountain roads.
With 0 light pollution and away from urban areas, this site provides an immersive experience for stargazing.
Current Limitations
This site is located in a natural environment with forests and trails nearby. A simple gathering space with limited seating is provided on the site, but lacks lighting fixtures to guide visitors safely at night.
Scenery Along the Road
Urban
Visitors will start driving from the city, so the experience at this phase would be city views of SF.
Along the Woods
While driving, visitors will see forests lining the roads. After sunset, visitors will gradually see stars appearing above.
The Edge of Forests
The destination will be the edge of the forest, where visitors can view the forest from the top, and appreciate the stars in a 0 light-polluted location.
Constellation Visible From the Site
From this site, visitors can observe the constellations illustrated in the diagram.
Enhancing Experience
The lighting pathway is designed with three distinct yet interconnected installations that explore light pollution. “Blinds”, “Invades”, and “Assembles”.
The yellow lines on the floor highlight the shapes and key spots of each installation. As visitors walk through the pathway, they experience firsthand how light exposure impacts our physiology. The final section, after being exposed to overwhelming light, allows for a period of dark adaptation as visitors exit, ultimately enhancing the beauty and clarity of the starry sky above. This journey underscores the profound effects of light pollution and invites reflection on the natural environment.
Touring the Site