See www.LetThereBeNight.com/results.html for the results of the Let There Be Night science experiment. The data from over 3,400 students suggest the local night sky today is about nine times brighter than a natural, dark sky with no light pollution. The students did a fantastic job recording observations of Orion over several clear nights. Thank you, teachers, parents, students, and WNDU for your support.

I'm a fifth grader and I'm part of a student leadership team at Elm Road an I think that it's really cool that my dad decided to do this story because light polution isn't a very popular type of polution. It's important to raise awareness of this cause because darkness,light disturbs the nocturnal community, (not to metion people!) and waists thousands of tax payer dollars. I hope this experiment proves to be sucsessful so that people can reduce the amount of light that they use, while saving money.

I agree that it is sad that the lights from the large businesses ruin our night sky. We live by the Hummer plant. But I do not wish the business's ill fortune and closings. Gates Chevrolet has been a part of and given to Michiana for more than 50 years.

When I moved here from the Connecticut shoreline, I chose a location to live based on the darkness of the night sky (as any good astronomer should!). The first year was wonderful, but then I discovered that as the southern part of South Bend was building more businesses, the skyglow "dome" of light became higher and brighter. Folks, we've got to address this NOW before it becomes as bad as the New York to Boston corridor! Please don't make me move away in search of darker skies and good light pollution control!

Saw the space station and shuttle clearly and right on time. What an awesome sight.

A few years ago when Lowes and Wal-mart opened on Ireland Rd we were worried about the possibility of their lighting destroying our night skies, (we live 6 miles away) and although there was some "sky glow" both businesses used full cutoff lighting in their parking lots. We were relieved that they had a small effect on our night skies. Then Gates Toyota built and opened on Ireland Rd. The glow in the sky is awful. It's brighter in Gates parking lot at night than it is in the day. We contacted Gates Toyota and spoke of our concerns and their reply that they were always good neighbors and that they dim the lights at night. A lie. The excess skyglow from directly above the Lowes, Wal-mart, Gates area can be seen from Lakeville these days. I am sorry to have to say this but it is my sincere wish that Gates goes out of business.

On Monday, March 16, you can see the International Space Station (ISS) rise in the southwest at 8:46 p.m., bisect Orion, and continue high across the sky and toward the northeast horizon until 8:51 p.m. Later, at 9:09 p.m., you can see the space shuttle Discovery (STS-119) rise in the southwest, climb to the north, and then disappear in the shadow of the earth at 9:12 p.m. as it races to catch up with and dock to the space station. To track the ISS, space shuttle, and Iridium flares, enter your location and time zone at www.Heavens-Above.com. Links to the ground track of both the ISS and STS-119 are the LTBN home page at www.LetThereBeNight.com. Watch the WNDU weather to see how we'll fare with any clouds. Sunday was another good night for viewing. Thanks to the families that showed up at Schmucker Middle School to witness that incredible Iridium flare at 9:31 p.m.

Let There Be Night is underway, and the opening night was stunning. Venus is dazzling in the west after sunset, and through a telescope we could see it was in a thin crescent phase. Meanwhile, Orion stands tall in the southwest just as Mr. Klinger showed in the planetarium. Good call with the weather. Thanks to all the families who were at Mary Frank Elementary School tonight.

I got a 19.4 on our group average tonight...

Thank you so much for finally getting a light pollution story into the newscast. And thanks to the PHM schools and students for bringing some much-needed attention to the topic as well. Light pollution has gotten worse here for years, particularly with the rampant development in Mishawaka and Granger. When you drive out that way, notice how many of the light fixtures are unshielded on top, so the light shines right up into the sky.