Stargazing, Light Pollution, and Protecting the Night Sky with Sarah Martin of Dark Sky International
Megan FowlerOriginally recorded as an episode of The Quilt Scouts Podcast
There’s something quietly magical about stepping outside at night, looking up, and realizing the sky is still there waiting for you.
Not demanding anything.
Not asking you to be productive.
Just stars, moonlight, darkness, and the reminder that we are part of something much bigger than our to-do lists.
In this episode, I sat down with Sarah Martin, Chief Development Officer at Dark Sky International, to talk about light pollution, protecting the night sky, and why darkness matters for people, wildlife, creativity, and the planet.
This episode was originally recorded as part of The Quilt Scouts Podcast, before Quilt Scouts became Quiltbound. You’ll hear the old name in the recording and transcript, but this conversation belongs right here in the Quiltbound world: quilts under the stars, curiosity outside the sewing room, and creative adventures that help us slow down and notice what’s been there all along.
And yes, this is very much connected to the Stargaze on a Quilt Badge.
Obviously.
Listen to the Episode
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Episode Overview
In this episode, Sarah shares what Dark Sky International does, what light pollution actually means, and how simple choices at home can help protect the nighttime environment.
We talk about stargazing as a creative practice, how artificial light affects wildlife, why the night sky is a natural resource, and how quilters can connect with darkness in a way that feels curious, cozy, and low-pressure.
No telescope required.
Although if you have one, please know I fully support that side quest.
Meet Sarah Martin of Dark Sky International
Sarah Martin is the Chief Development Officer for Dark Sky International, a conservation-focused nonprofit working to restore the nighttime environment and protect communities and wildlife from the effects of light pollution.
Sarah works with a small but mighty outreach team that supports marketing, communications, philanthropy, advocacy, and on-the-ground volunteer activities.
In other words, she helps bring the mission of protecting the night sky to more people.
And honestly, after this conversation, I feel like I need to go outside, turn off every unnecessary porch light, and lovingly inform my neighbors that we are starting a stargazing club now.
Very normal. Very casual.
What Is Light Pollution?
Light pollution is human-made light that changes the natural level of darkness at night.
Sarah explained that if light is coming from something other than the moon, stars, or natural bioluminescence, it can fall under the umbrella of light pollution.
Of course, not all light is the same.
Some light is useful. Some light is needed. Some light keeps people safe.
The issue is unnecessary, poorly placed, overly bright, or harsh outdoor lighting that spills into places it doesn’t need to be.
Think lights shining up into the sky instead of down where they’re useful.
Think porch lights left on all night for no real reason.
Think outdoor lighting that is brighter than needed or too cool-toned.
It adds up.
And the good news? A lot of it is fixable.
The Five Principles of Responsible Outdoor Lighting
One of the most helpful parts of the conversation was Sarah sharing Dark Sky International’s five principles for responsible outdoor lighting.
Before you add or keep an outdoor light, ask:
- Is it useful?
- Is it targeted?
- Is it the right brightness?
- Is it controlled by a timer, dimmer, or motion sensor?
- Is it warm-colored?
That framework is so practical because it doesn’t ask us to live in total darkness or get weirdly intense about every light bulb we’ve ever owned.
It asks us to be thoughtful.
- Do you need the light?
- Is it pointing where it actually needs to go?
- Is it brighter than necessary?
- Can it turn off when you don’t need it?
- Could it be warmer instead of bright, harsh white?
That feels doable.
And I love doable.
Why Light Pollution Matters for Wildlife
One thing Sarah shared that really stuck with me is how deeply artificial light can affect wildlife.
Many animals are adapted to be active at night. When we add artificial light into their environment, we disrupt the patterns they rely on for hunting, reproduction, movement, and survival.
Sarah shared the example of moths, which may only live for a very short time. A bright light can disrupt them so much that it may take them all night to recover.
That completely changed the way I thought about outdoor lighting.
It’s easy to assume light pollution is mostly about whether humans can see the stars.
But it is so much bigger than that.
Darkness is habitat.
Darkness is protection.
Darkness is part of the natural rhythm many living things need.
Stargazing Can Start in Your Backyard
If you’ve never intentionally gone stargazing before, Sarah’s advice was wonderfully simple:
Go outside and look up.
That’s it.
You don’t need fancy equipment. You don’t need to live near a national park. You don’t need to know every constellation or own a telescope that makes you feel like you accidentally joined NASA.
Start where you are.
Even in a city, you may be able to see the moon, a few bright stars, or a planet.
Then get curious.
What are you looking at?
Is it a star?
A planet?
A satellite?
The International Space Station?
That curiosity is where the adventure begins.
Helpful Stargazing Tools
Sarah mentioned that even experienced stargazers use apps to identify what they’re seeing in the night sky.
One she uses is Star Guide, which lets you point your phone at the sky and see what stars, planets, or constellations are above you.
There are lots of apps like this, and many are free or low-cost.
A phone app can be a lovely starting point because it removes the pressure to already know what you’re looking at.
You can simply step outside, look up, and let the questions lead you.
International Dark Sky Places
If you want to experience a truly dark sky, Dark Sky International maintains an interactive map of International Dark Sky Places.
These are designated places around the world that meet specific standards for protecting dark skies.
Some places offer breathtaking views of the Milky Way. Others provide better-than-average stargazing depending on location, weather, and local lighting conditions.
Before you plan a trip, Sarah recommends checking the weather.
Because nothing says “tragic little field trip” quite like driving all the way to a dark sky destination and meeting a full blanket of clouds.
Ask me how many outdoor plans have been personally victimized by weather.
Why Dark Skies Should Be Accessible
One of the biggest ideas Sarah shared is that dark skies should not only exist in remote places.
Dark Sky International wants stargazing to be more accessible, including in neighborhoods, suburbs, and communities where people live every day.
The dream is not just “drive hours away to see stars.”
The dream is also:
Step into your backyard.
Turn off unnecessary lights.
Look up.
See the sky.
And because light pollution is so directly tied to the way we use outdoor lighting, it is one of those environmental issues where small changes can make an immediate difference.
Turn off a light, and the pollution from that light stops.
That is honestly kind of hopeful.
What You Can Do at Home
If you live in a neighborhood or suburb, you can still help protect the night sky.
Start with your own outdoor lighting.
Turn off lights you don’t need.
Use motion sensors or timers.
Choose warm-colored bulbs.
Point lights downward.
Avoid lighting that spills into your neighbor’s yard, the street, or the sky.
And if you’re feeling brave, you can invite your neighbors into the conversation.
Not in a “hello, I have arrived with a clipboard” way.
More like:
“Hey, the stars are beautiful tonight. Want to turn off the porch lights for a bit and look up together?”
Honestly, I love that.
It turns a potentially awkward conversation into a tiny community moment.
International Dark Sky Week
Sarah also shared about International Dark Sky Week, an annual event focused on celebrating the night and raising awareness about light pollution.
Dark Sky International offers resources for communities, libraries, bookstores, local events, trivia nights, and more.
This is such a fun tie-in for quilters, especially if you’re earning the Stargaze on a Quilt Badge.
You could plan a backyard stargazing night.
Bring a quilt.
Make hot cocoa.
Invite a friend.
Use a stargazing app.
Turn off the lights and look up.
That’s the whole badge vibe right there.
What We Lose When We Lose the Stars
One of the most moving parts of this conversation was when Sarah talked about seeing the Milky Way from her own neighborhood.
It was faint, almost like a cloudy streak in the sky, but she recognized what it was. And it took her breath away. That moment gets to the heart of why dark skies matter.
When we lose access to the stars, we lose more than a pretty view. We lose a connection to wonder, science, storytelling, navigation, and curiosity.
Sarah pointed out that so much of human discovery began with looking at the sky.
- Calendars
- Timekeeping
- Navigation
- Telescopes
- Cameras
- Medical imaging
So many modern tools and scientific ideas can trace their roots back to humans looking up and asking questions. That absolutely blew my mind. The night sky is not just beautiful. It is part of how we learned to wonder.
Quilting and the Night Sky
Sarah is also a quilter, which made this conversation extra fun.
She comes from a multi-generational quilting family. Both of her parents are quilters, and her mother owned a quilt shop in Arizona for decades.
Sarah made her first quilt in eighth grade: an Ohio Star.
A classic gateway quilt. Respect.
We also talked about the overlap between quilting and protecting the night sky. Sarah described it beautifully: both require slowing down, paying attention, and designing with care.
That feels so true.
A quilt asks us to notice small pieces.
A dark sky asks us to notice small lights.
Both remind us that what we make, preserve, and protect depends on attention.
A Dark Sky Quilt Idea
When we started talking about quilt blocks connected to the night sky, Sarah made a surprising case for Flying Geese.
Not just because flying geese blocks are classic, but because geese use the night sky for navigation.
I loved that.
Of course, star blocks feel like the obvious choice for a night sky quilt, and I will never say no to a star block. But Flying Geese as a dark horse night sky block? Excellent.
Now I feel like someone needs to make a quilt that combines stars, flying geese, and deep navy fabric.
For science. And beauty. And possibly emotional support.
Books Sarah Recommended
Sarah shared two book recommendations for anyone who wants to think more deeply about darkness, creativity, and the world that comes alive at night.
Sleepless by Annabel Abbs Streets
A book about creativity after dark and how the mind can come alive at night.
Night Magic by Leigh Ann Henion
A book that explores the nighttime world beyond stargazing, including bioluminescence and the life that appears after dark.
Both sound like perfect reads for anyone drawn to the Stargaze on a Quilt Badge or the creative pull of the night sky.
Dark Sky Photography
Dark Sky International also hosts a yearly photo contest called Capture the Dark.
Sarah shared that the contest includes different categories, including a cell phone category and a youth category, which makes it more accessible for people who are not professional night sky photographers.
I love that.
It feels very Quiltbound: start where you are, try something new, and let curiosity lead.
Earn the Stargaze on a Quilt Badge
Inside the Quiltbound Badge Club, the Stargaze on a Quilt Badge invites members to combine quilting and astronomy in a cozy, curious way.
You don’t need to be an expert.
You don’t need a telescope.
You just need a quilt, a little curiosity, and a willingness to look up.
Bring a quilt outside.
Notice the night sky.
Learn one new thing.
Document the experience.
Let the quilt be part of the memory.
That’s the kind of creative adventure I love most.
Resources Mentioned
Dark Sky International:https://darksky.org
Dark Sky International Resources:
Available on the Dark Sky website.
International Dark Sky Week:
Dark Sky International shares event ideas, toolkits, and community resources for celebrating and protecting the night.
International Dark Sky Places Map:
Available through Dark Sky International for finding protected dark sky locations.
Find a Dark Sky Chapter:
Available through Dark Sky International for locating existing local advocacy groups.
Capture the Dark Photo Contest:
Dark Sky International’s annual night sky photography contest. 2026 submissions are open May 1 to June 30.
Books mentioned:
Sleepless by Annabel Abbs Streets
Night Magic by Leigh Ann Henion
Quiltbound Badge Club:https://quiltbound.com
Related Quiltbound badges:
Stargaze on a Quilt, Quilt Photography, Hiking for Quilt Photos, Picnic on a Quilt
Note: This episode was originally recorded before Quilt Scouts became Quiltbound, so some older names, links, and references appear in the audio and transcript.
About The Quiltbound Podcast
The Quiltbound Podcast is a cozy, campfire-style quilting podcast for quilters who want more creativity, confidence, and connection in their quilting lives.
Episodes explore quilting skills, creative ruts, tools, design, community, outdoor adventures, and the small moments that help us grow one stitch at a time.
You’ll find solo episodes, quilter interviews, behind-the-scenes stories, and plenty of permission to take your quilt outside, turn off the lights, and look up.
Episode Transcript
Below is the full transcript from this episode of The Quilt Scouts Podcast for accessibility and reference.
Note: This episode was recorded before Quilt Scouts became Quiltbound, so the transcript uses the original Quilt Scouts language to match the audio. I recommend editing out the early setup notes, repeated starts, and behind-the-scenes production comments before publishing the transcript.
