Featuring Let There Be Night and Night Vision. Errant and excessive outdoor lighting detracts from the night. Often dubbed light pollution, this wayward light is commonly seen as glare, spillover (including light trespass), and sky glow. Why does it matter? By implementing better lighting practices:
Correcting the impact of light pollution is often just a matter of awareness. You can help prevent outdoor lighting from impinging on the night sky by aiming lights downward; by turning lights off when not in use; by covering exposed light sources with full cut-off shields; by not over-lighting; and by installing sky-friendly fixtures. Please take pride in preserving our common heritage, for we are all stewards of the night. Let There Be Night program features two DVDs of resources that support dark skies. See www.LetThereBeNight.com/dvd.html. Nightscapes Around TownThe International Dark-Sky Association defines light pollution as "any adverse effect of artificial light including sky glow, glare, light trespass, light clutter, decreased visibility at night, and energy waste." While high-quality exterior lighting can benefit society, below are some typical nightscapes around town. (See more examples of both good and bad lighting.) (See more examples of lighting, good and bad, from around town.) Let There Be Night Program
Exploring National Park Skies
Loss of Night
Waste
In Light Pollution Handbook, authors Kohei Narisada and Duco Schreuder conclude that the greatest challenge falls in the laps of educators. “A lack of awareness, rather than specific resistance, is generally the biggest problem in controlling light pollution.” The best means to improve the situation is education outreach, they assert, for the path to darker skies is “more a matter of improving priorities, rather than of inventing new tools.” |
Copyright ©2009 Chuck Bueter. All rights reserved. |