Life at Night Atlas is a National Geographic Society project, directed by science photojournalist Babak Tafreshi. It brings together an archive of visual stories on wildlife at night, while creating a team of night photographers, filmmakers, biologists, and light pollution specialists to produce new stories on how various species relate to the night sky and dark environments. The project will reveal how the growth of artificial light is changing ecosystems. The night-time face of Earth has transformed in the past century. The habitat and behavior of many nocturnal species and migratory animals who travel at night are largely impacted by artificial lights. Learn more
Latest Stories
Night environment of Amboseli National Park in Kenya. Elephants are becoming more nocturnal to avoid human conflict. Read
This exhibit in the Smithsonian Natural History Museum, explores how the night sky, and light pollution, affects all life on Earth. Read
National Geographic photographer Corey Arnold reveals how wild animals are adapting to city life in surprisingly savvy ways. Read
Turn off your lights.
It’s not just about seeing the stars. Bright lights disorient animals like birds, leading to potential death. Read
Why Dark Skies Matter
For most of human history, the night sky was an essential part of our nature.
Now most of humanity lives under bright domes of artificial skyglow from our cities, roads, or industrial activities. There is a new generation who have never seen a natural night sky.