Light Pollution and GalaxGlass Updates

Let me ask you this—when was the last time you looked up and truly saw the stars? For so many of us, especially those living in cities or well-lit suburbs, the stars are no longer part of our nightly view. We’ve traded that endless night sky for streetlights, headlights, billboards, and all the artificial brightness that drowns out the stars. And honestly, it’s a bit heartbreaking. That’s where the idea for GalaxGlass came from—a way to give people back the stars.

What Is Light Pollution?

Light pollution isn’t something we think about every day, but it’s everywhere. It’s that glow you see over cities at night, even when you’re miles away. It’s the floodlights, streetlights, and neon signs that wash out the natural darkness and make the stars harder to see. The problem isn’t just brightness—it’s the type of light too. A lot of the artificial lighting we use, especially LED lights, emit a ton of blue light, which scatters more in the atmosphere and makes the sky look even more washed out.

So, what exactly is light pollution doing? Well, it works on a spectrum. Different wavelengths of light, especially blue light, scatter more easily and add to the skyglow that blocks our view of the stars. Warmer, more amber-colored lights cause less pollution, but we don’t see those used as often in cities. So, we end up with this blanket of artificial light that covers the sky like a fog, making it hard to see anything beyond it.

Why Does It Matter?

You might be thinking, “Okay, so we can’t see the stars, but does it really matter?” The answer is: yes, it matters a lot more than you might think.

For starters, it’s bad for our health. Our bodies need darkness. Too much artificial light at night can mess with our sleep cycles, our hormones, and even increase the risk of certain diseases. Our ancestors lived in sync with the day and night, and our bodies are wired to follow those rhythms. Light pollution throws all of that off, making it harder to sleep and even affecting our mental health.

Then, there’s wildlife. Animals depend on the natural cycle of light and dark to navigate the world. Sea turtles, for example, use the moonlight to guide them to the ocean after hatching. In Ocean City, NJ, where my parents live, they now have an annual event where the locals go collect all thee turtles that are confused because of the lights. When there’s too much artificial light, they end up wandering in the wrong direction, often finding themselves stuck in sewers. Even birds use the stars to navigate during migration, and artificial light can lead them off course.

Let’s not forget the scientists and stargazers out there. Astronomers (both professional and amateur) have been battling light pollution for decades because it makes it nearly impossible to observe the night sky from urban or suburban areas. You need dark skies to really study the stars, and as cities expand, those dark skies are becoming harder to find.

The Growing Interest in Stargazing and Light Pollution

Here’s the interesting part—while light pollution is on the rise, so is the interest in stargazing. People are becoming more aware of how much they’re missing out on. According to recent trends, searches for terms like “light pollution,” “dark sky parks,” and “stargazing” have jumped up over the last few years. More people are seeking out places where they can get away from the lights, reconnect with nature, and simply look up at the stars.

I think a lot of this comes from a growing desire to disconnect from the hectic, always-on lifestyle we live. The stars offer a sense of peace and perspective that’s hard to find in our day-to-day lives. During the pandemic, when people were looking for ways to spend time outdoors, stargazing became a popular option. It’s a simple pleasure that connects us to something much bigger than ourselves.

This is where GalaxGlass comes in. As more people crave that connection with the night sky, I realized there’s an opportunity to create something that makes stargazing easier, no matter where you live.

The Struggles Behind GalaxGlass

Like any big idea, the journey to creating GalaxGlass hasn’t been easy. The concept was straightforward: glasses that block out artificial light and let you see the stars more clearly. But the execution? That’s been a bit trickier.

One of the first challenges was finding the right lenses. I started by ordering filters from Thorlabs, hoping they would block out specific wavelengths of light and allow for clearer stargazing. But when the lenses arrived, I realized they were way too small—about an inch in diameter—and, even worse, they were flat. That caused way more glare than I expected, making it nearly impossible to see anything, let alone the stars. It was a frustrating setback, but I learned a lot from that experience. I knew I needed larger, possibly curved lenses that would reduce glare and distortion.

Despite these early struggles, I’m more determined than ever to make GalaxGlass a reality. I truly believe there’s a growing market for products like this as people look for ways to reconnect with the night sky.

Reclaiming the Stars

So why does GalaxGlass matter? Because it’s more than just a gadget. It’s a way to reclaim something we’ve lost—our connection to the stars, to the universe, to the bigger picture. I’m creating GalaxGlass for anyone who, like me, feels a deep pull toward the stars but can’t see them clearly because of all the artificial light we live with.

We need the stars. They remind us of our place in the universe and give us a sense of wonder that’s hard to find anywhere else. Whether you’re an avid stargazer or someone who just wants to see the night sky again, GalaxGlass is about making that possible. It’s about giving people a tool to experience the beauty of the stars, no matter where they live.

In the end, the stars are still up there—they’re just waiting for us to look up and see them again.