Geographical analysis of historical and cultural factors of the night sky image formation under light pollution

The night sky observation is an integral part of mental life and a form of regulation of human semantic sphere. Its perception is based not only on sensory, but also on symbolic and existential characteristics that have a historical and cultural context, which may be lost as a result of the brightening of the night sky. This is associated with light pollution, a rapidly growing form of physical environmental pollution. By the end of the first quarter of the 21st century the majority of the world's population is already affected by light pollution. Biological and economic consequences of light pollution associated with biota circadian rhythms disruption, behavioral patterns of nocturnal animals, economic losses from excessive lighting, etc. are being studied relatively recently. The social consequences remain virtually unexplored, although they disrupt historical archetypes of behavior and the practice of sensory and intellectual cognition of the night sky, which awakens scientific and artistic creativity and provides psychological relief for people. Modern brightening of the night sky leads to the oblivion of the geographical features of the starry sky historical and cultural context formation, thus impoverishing the communities’ historical memory, which is the key to social well-being. This context has regional features and may be considered as cultural heritage sites in the world's astro-parks – natural areas that allow tourists to observe the starry sky and the nightlife of biota outside the zones of light pollution. Legislative, regulatory and technical regulation of light pollution is not yet systemic in nature.