Meet Siddharth Patel: A Young Advocate for Dark Skies
In a world where city lights outshine the night sky, one 12-year-old from London, Ontario, is proving that a dark sky is still within reach. Siddharth Patel earned international recognition for a breathtaking Milky Way photograph snapped far from the glow of urban lights. His win isn’t just about a pretty picture—it’s about sparking curiosity, teaching about light pollution, and inspiring other young stargazers to protect the night.
A Picture-Perfect Moment Under a Dark Sky
To catch the Milky Way in all its splendor, Siddharth traveled to Fingal, a rural township about 40 kilometres south of London. The setting offered the clear, dark skies that cities often hide behind their own brightness. Using his mother’s Samsung cellphone in ‘‘astrophotography mode,’’ he achieved a long exposure that revealed the glow of our galaxy and even a passing comet. The result—titled Milky Way with Comet C/2023 A3—won first place in the people’s choice category at the 2025 DarkSky International photography contest, a global stage dedicated to promoting dark skies and combatting light pollution.
“I saw the Milky Way blazing overhead and a comet striking past right next to it,” Siddharth told CBC Kids News. “It was a wonderful sight and I really wanted to capture it.” His victory demonstrates how accessible modern technology can turn ordinary moments into extraordinary science communication, especially when paired with a powerful message about preserving the night sky.
What Is Light Pollution—and Why Should We Care?
Light pollution occurs when artificial lights wash the night sky, obscuring stars and planets. It’s more than a photography hurdle; it affects ecosystems, human health, and the way we experience the cosmos. A paper in Science notes that light pollution is rising by about 10 percent each year, while Canada’s own Environment and Climate Change Agency highlights harm to migratory birds and disrupted sleep cycles caused by excessive nighttime lighting. Siddharth’s work brings these issues into clearer focus for a younger audience, reminding us that the night sky is a shared resource worth protecting.
From Stargazer to Citizen Scientist
Siddharth’s love affair with space began in 2018, when he first witnessed a “true dark sky” at a dedicated dark-sky preserve. Since then, he has embraced citizen science—participating in projects that allow ordinary people to contribute to real scientific discoveries. In one notable moment, he used Astrometrica to comb through telescope images, spotting a moving object that turned out to be an asteroid recognized by NASA. He now owns multiple telescopes and cameras that help him document celestial events and share them with peers.
Dark-Sky Advocacy—Smaller Steps, Big Impact
Beyond photography, Siddharth works to educate his community about light pollution. He hosts neighborhood astronomy nights, encouraging kids and adults to observe planets, stars, and other celestial sights. He also promotes practical actions—like turning off unnecessary outdoor lights and directing lighting downward—to minimize skyglow. His efforts align with DarkSky International’s mission: light pollution affects everyone, and smaller, collective actions can preserve precious dark skies for future generations.
A Bright Future with a Cosmic Outlook
Looking ahead, Siddharth hopes to publish a children’s storybook about light pollution, sharing tips and adventures with younger readers. He also dreams of becoming an astronaut, imagining a future where Earth’s beauty can be seen clearly from space and from his own backyard telescopes. Until then, he remains a diligent citizen scientist and a fearless advocate for dark skies, reminding us that the night sky is a window to our curiosity—and a call to protect it.
Want to Spotlight a Remarkable Kid?
If you know a young innovator who deserves a feature, reach out to CBC Kids News at cbckidsnews@cbc.ca and share what makes them awesome. Stories like Siddharth’s remind us that cool ideas can come from anywhere—and that today’s kids are already shaping tomorrow’s science.
