The
International Dark-Sky Association (
IDA) is a United States-based non-profit organization incorporated in 1988 by founders
David Crawford, a professional
astronomer, and
Tim Hunter, a physician/amateur astronomer. The mission of the IDA is "to preserve and protect the night time environment and our heritage of dark skies through quality outdoor lighting."
Light pollution is the result of outdoor lighting that is not properly shielded, allowing light to be directed into the eyes and the night sky. Light that shines into the eyes is called
glare and light shining into the night sky above the
horizon causes
skyglow. Lighting can also cause light trespass when it is directed into areas that it is not wanted,
e.g., a neighbor's yard and windows. IDA was the first organization in the
dark-sky movement, and is currently the largest.