Light Pollution Fast Becoming a Problem
August 22nd 2008 04:28
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At one time the suburban back yard was a refuge of peace and tranquility, the lights were few you could venture outside and see the stars and planets without seeing the green tinge of excessive light in the night sky. Now by far The biggest problem facing amateur and professional astronomers alike is excess light polluting the night sky. For amateur astronomers the problem of light pollution becomes a nightmare.
Light from shops, sports grounds and backyard lighting can seriously limit the use of the backyard telescope. Aside from the simple pleasure of being able to see the night sky, the work of some amateurs supplements the work of professionals. These amateurs should be regarded as unpaid professional observers.
The main function of a telescope is to amplify light from distant objects, as these objects are very faint. Stray light has the effect of washing out the contrast and reducing the image quality. For an astronomer, the “extra” light that people leave on in the back yard, or those flood lights in the driveway, (let’s face it there is a tendency to over illuminate everything)e can mean putting an end to any chance of using a telescope on all but the brightest of objects.
The main problem with most lighting is poor design and implementation. Most domestic lighting is improperly shielded causing the light to spread in all directions, often casting shadows, putting very little illumination where it is intended. For example, in the case of a path, if you use a torch you shine it on the ground to see where you are walking.Why put in lights that light up the trees and half the street to find the front door?
"Well lit streets, parking lots, and walkways are in everyone's best interest. Common sense argues, however, that the best way to achieve good lighting is by directing light toward the ground and not toward the sky." (Sky & Telescope - August 1995)
The night sky with the lights of Brisbane in the distance
The main function of a telescope is to amplify light from distant objects, as these objects are very faint. Stray light has the effect of washing out the contrast and reducing the image quality. For an astronomer, the “extra” light that people leave on in the back yard, or those flood lights in the driveway, (let’s face it there is a tendency to over illuminate everything)e can mean putting an end to any chance of using a telescope on all but the brightest of objects.
The main problem with most lighting is poor design and implementation. Most domestic lighting is improperly shielded causing the light to spread in all directions, often casting shadows, putting very little illumination where it is intended. For example, in the case of a path, if you use a torch you shine it on the ground to see where you are walking.Why put in lights that light up the trees and half the street to find the front door?
"Well lit streets, parking lots, and walkways are in everyone's best interest. Common sense argues, however, that the best way to achieve good lighting is by directing light toward the ground and not toward the sky." (Sky & Telescope - August 1995)
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