Dark Skies
Light Pollution
Light pollution, for those of us who live in or near metroplotin areas, is not
something we notice. That is until we take a ride into the country and see a night
sky without all the excess light. For stargazers light pollution is the ultimate insult,
forcing them to find darker areas. Some light pollution is in the form of a neighbor
who has a floodlihgt that shines into your yard or windows.
All this excess light not only disturbs our night skies but wastes huge amounts of
energy. The biggest problem in dealing with this situation is public awareness.
Since it is not often brought up in the media and there are no strong bodies
championing the cause, people just don't know it is a big problem or that there are
solutions. The same goes for those designing, selling and installing the lighting.
To see a good view of the United States at night and the light pollution visit this
link http://dmsp.ngdc.noaa.gov/html/night_light_posters.html
Solutions
When it comes to dealing with light pollution and moving toward dark skies,
there are solutions. We do need light at night for security as well as the ability to
navigate safely in the dark. Both of these needs can be accomplished without the
light spilling into the sky. Using timers and motion detectors the light can be
restricted to being used only when needed. Using low pressure sodium can also
help reduce light and save energy.
A set of floodlights with open bulbs wastes a great deal of light and causes much
of it to spill into the night sky. Using a floodlight with bulb covers and shields, the
light is forced onto the ground where it's needed and not into the sky. Use just
enough light and don't overdo a lighting scheme. Overlighting not only causes
glare and wastes energy, it is unsightly. When it comes to outdoor lighting, low
levels of light make for a very pleasing nightscape and provide ample illumination
for a person to move about safely.
Light pollution, for those of us who live in or near metroplotin areas, is not
something we notice. That is until we take a ride into the country and see a night
sky without all the excess light. For stargazers light pollution is the ultimate insult,
forcing them to find darker areas. Some light pollution is in the form of a neighbor
who has a floodlihgt that shines into your yard or windows.
All this excess light not only disturbs our night skies but wastes huge amounts of
energy. The biggest problem in dealing with this situation is public awareness.
Since it is not often brought up in the media and there are no strong bodies
championing the cause, people just don't know it is a big problem or that there are
solutions. The same goes for those designing, selling and installing the lighting.
To see a good view of the United States at night and the light pollution visit this
link http://dmsp.ngdc.noaa.gov/html/night_light_posters.html
Solutions
When it comes to dealing with light pollution and moving toward dark skies,
there are solutions. We do need light at night for security as well as the ability to
navigate safely in the dark. Both of these needs can be accomplished without the
light spilling into the sky. Using timers and motion detectors the light can be
restricted to being used only when needed. Using low pressure sodium can also
help reduce light and save energy.
A set of floodlights with open bulbs wastes a great deal of light and causes much
of it to spill into the night sky. Using a floodlight with bulb covers and shields, the
light is forced onto the ground where it's needed and not into the sky. Use just
enough light and don't overdo a lighting scheme. Overlighting not only causes
glare and wastes energy, it is unsightly. When it comes to outdoor lighting, low
levels of light make for a very pleasing nightscape and provide ample illumination
for a person to move about safely.
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Dark Skies