Photographers use time-lapse technology to raise awareness of light pollution

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Local photographers are using time-lapse technology to raise funds and awareness about light pollution.

Downtown Los Angeles has arguably one of the greatest nighttime skylines in the country. But behind all the shining lights are thousands of other ones that we don't ever see - the stars.

Photographer Gavin Heffernan says light pollution has robbed those of us living in or near cities of the star-filled skies that we had gazed at for centuries.

"For a lot of people the idea of a Milky Way or a night sky above them is like a unicorn, or it's just like science fiction," said Heffernan, who has been capturing time-lapses of skies around America with his film-making partner Harun Mehmedinovic.

Heffernan says that many people think the larger the population gets, the more light we need. But he says a lot of that light ends up wasted, getting pointed up to the sky where it ends up washing out our otherwise starry nighttime sky-scapes.

"There's a profound effect that goes way beyond just beauty and aesthetics, and in fact, there's a biological impact," Heffernan said.

So, in an effort to raise awareness and make sure we don't lose all of our night stars to city lights, the two photographers are running a Kickstarter campaign to help capture the best star-scapes in the country.

"We're hoping that with this quest, we'll be able to a, raise awareness and b, inspire people to care, inspire people to connect with that childlike self of their own," Heffernan said.