Light Pollution and Dark-Sky Conservation: The Roles of Science, Public Engagement, and Cultural Narratives in a Rapidly Evolving Scenario

The experience of a truly dark sky is becoming increasingly rare. Light pollution, long studied as a technical and scientific challenge for its disruptive impact on astronomy, is now recognized also for its broader consequences — ranging from human health to biology and ecosystems, and from energy consumption to cultural heritage. In parallel, dark-sky conservation efforts have multiplied, both as initiatives to preserve remote sites from losing their pristine sky, and as regulatory frameworks at local, national, or international level. Yet such measures remain insufficient as long as they are confined to the scientific community and a narrow circle of policy-makers. This work explores the interplay between scientific research, public engagement, and cultural narratives in reversing the trend of increasing light pollution and promoting dark-sky conservation. The analysis highlights the urgent need for interdisciplinary approaches, highlighting the importance of dialogue, storytelling, and creativity in raising awareness and fostering change. Public engagement emerges as a central pillar, while understanding cultural narratives proves essential for developing context-sensitive strategies that authentically reflect the communities involved. Within this framework, the project ''Voices of the night. A photographic journey through memory, light and darkness'' is introduced as a multidisciplinary initiative that brings together science, oral memory, anthropology, photography, education, and digital art. Focused on Asiago (Italy) and Oukaïmeden (Morocco) — two sites carefully chosen for their astronomical relevance and ongoing efforts in light pollution mitigation — the project collects personal and cultural perceptions of the night sky through interviews with local residents. These ''voices'' are brought to life in a photographic exhibition combining portraits, digitally reconstructed nightscapes, and evocative captions, complemented by a series of public events designed to raise awareness, inspire a renewed connection with the stars, and promote education on the cultural and ecological value of darkness. A detailed feasibility study of the project is presented, outlining goals, methods, partnerships, outcomes, impact assessment, and planning. Ultimately, ''Voices of the night'' is conceived as a high-value final product, intended to generate tangible cultural and social benefits for the communities involved while pointing towards a future in which technological and urban progress can coexist with the preservation of the nighttime environment and the beauty of the dark sky — a shared commons across generations and civilizations.