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Home : Society : Issues : Environment : Light Pollution
Light Pollution
Category Description
Light Pollution (also called obtrusive lighting, photopollution and luminous pollution) is not the opposite of heavy pollution, but is pollution caused by the increasing use of urban, and now rural, outdoor lighting which has deemed many countries practically unsuitable for observations using astronomical telescopes.
This form of pollution affects the polluter's pocket as well as astronomers; drivers (by dazzling them); neighbours or nearby residents, and wildlife (both plants and animals). People are only just beginning to realise that there is a problem, even though it has been around for half a century now, and has been gradually getting worse and more rural. The sites in this category are helpful to people who are affected by or wish to tackle a lighting problem, or people who wish to help by installing more environmentally-friendly lighting.
Good lights are not too bright, and do not blot out the sky; they save energy and give us back something like the dark skies that people enjoyed long ago.
The light from the rest of the universe takes hundreds, thousands or millions of years to reach our eyes. What a pity to lose it in the last moments of its journey through a wasteful source of light near you. So, think before you install your next light.
(Last two paragraphs adapted from old Campaign for Dark Skies homepage)
If you are interested in combating light pollution contact one of the many regional dark-sky (i.e.: anti-light-pollution) groups listed.
Please read the FAQ's for further information
Sites in Light Pollution
Fatal Light Awareness Program (FLAP)
Information on how light pollution affects birds, and what steps must be taken to save the lives of birds by reducing lighting.
Light Pollution Information
Learn how glare can affect anyone with this concise information page collated by the Astronomical Society of Greater Hartford. Includes lots of links.
Rose City Astronomers: Oregon Dark Skies
Includes a information about the effects of light pollution and local darksky sites.
Dark Skies Locator
Use this site to find a light-pollution-free location. View conditions from various cities around the world.
Illuminating Engineering Society of North America
The IESNA is the authority on the lighting industry in the USA, Canada and Mexico and one of the forerunners in the control of this form of pollution. Information available on manufacturers, acceptable designs and lighting codes.
Star Watch UK
Explains how Star Watch UK, a survey of light pollution in the UK was undertaken. The project is, at least for the time being, not taking in results.
Royal Astronomical Society of Canada (RASC) Light Pollution Abatement Program (LPAP)
Explains how the problem is and can be tackled in Canada with the LPAP. Contains helpful Canadian information.
Sensible and Efficient Lighting to Enhance the Night-time Environment (SELENE), New York
SELENE is working to eliminate inappropriate lighting in New York. Extensive website with facts and information about helping to fight for better lighting legislation in the city.
Outdoor Lighting Resources - Efficient Outdoor Lighting Benefits Us All
Webpage of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection explaining some effects of obtrusive lighting.
William's Bay Lighting Ordinance
A school project on light pollution in the United States.
Institute of Lighting Engineers (ILE), UK
Forerunner in light pollution control in the UK. Publishes lighting codes and guidance available via the website. Website content is minimal.
New England Light Pollution Advisory Group (NELPAG)
Everything to do with the problem in New England. Lots of links. Includes information on how to subscribe to the NELPAG forum.
International Astronomical Union Working Group on Light Pollution
Explains how the working group is helping to combat the problem at the moment and how anyone can help. Also includes various links and general information.
International Commission on Illumination (CIE)
Technical information and guides to the design of non-polluting lighting. Includes links to similar regional organizations.
Dark Skies Northwest
News, video, slide-shows and images. Includes outdoor lighting codes, mailing list subscriptions, member information and links to further regional information.
Utah Skies: Light Pollution
Includes information on good & bad light fixtures, hidden costs and health risks with pictures and links.
International Dark-Sky Association (IDA)
A non-profit member organization that teaches others how to preserve the night sky through factsheets, law references, pictures, and web resources.
The Fraser Valley Astronomers' Society
A local astronomy site with comprehensive information about the local darksky park including directions; as well as videos on the problem, and information about its effects on health and astronomy.
Conference on the Ecological Consequences of Artificial Night Lighting
Comprehensive information about a conference on ecological effects which took place in February 2002 including abstracts and references on the topic.
Michigan Darksky Association
Explains the problem, and has pictures, news, local legislation and a message board specific to Michigan.
North Carolina IDA (NCIDA)
Includes images, information and local legislation relevant to North Carolina.
New Hampshire Citizens for Responsible Lighting (NHCRL)
Includes local information relevant to New Hampshire and NHCRL newsletters. Minimal web content.
Hawaiian Astronomical Society: Why You Can't See the Stars
Features links and information on light pollution relevant to Hawaii.
Pennsylvania Outdoor Lighting Council (POLC)
Comprehensive information on the latest lighting situation in Pennsylvania with pictures, links, and guidance on how anyone can help. Home of Pennsylvanians for an Outdoor Lighting Control Act (POLCA).
Virginia Outdoor Lighting Taskforce (VOLT)
Promotes the use of safe and efficient outdoor lighting. Comprehensive website with everything there is to know on the problem in Virginia and the latest on VOLT's campaign for better lighting ordinances.
American Astronomical Society Committee on Light Pollution, Radio Interference and Space Debris
Includes information on this pioneering committee and what they do. Also includes lists of books, magazine articles and weblinks. Much of the information is out-of-date.
Effective Outdoor Lighting Council of Texas (EOLC)
Latest news on the abatement of light pollution in Texas and how anyone can help.
Indiana Council on Outdoor Lighting Education (ICOLE)
Comprehensive information on the abatement of light pollution in Indiana including general links and resources as well as updates.
Light Pollution: The Neglected Problem
A short article explaining the problem which appeared in the Winter 1994 issue of the ANJEC Report.
Santa Clara Valley Lighting and the Lick Observatory
Lick Observatory is exploring ways in which the lighting needs of the growing Santa Clara Valley can be met while still preserving Lick's position at the forefront of astronomical research. Also includes relevant links.
Office for the Protection of the Quality of the Sky of the Institute of Astrophysics of Canarias
Includes pictures and animations, and information on full-cut-off lighting, technical specifications, energy efficiency, and other forms of astronomical pollution. Also includes the laws applicable in the Canary islands.
The Anti-Light Pollution Section of the Astronomical Society of Denmark (AS-ALS)
A webpage explaining the history and objectives of the organisation, and how to become a member.
Sky and Telescope - Saving Dark Skies
Various articles about light pollution including one on the history of the problem, one on rating the darkness of your sky, one on how astronomers can do more to help reduce light pollution and one on good lighting fixtures.
Craig Cotner's Home Page
Two detailed light-pollution maps of Minnesota and various astro-photographs.
Cherry Springs State Park
Information and links on stargazing in one of the darkest sky sites in Eastern USA
Dark Skies for the Adirondacks
Online community of New York anti-light-pollution campaigners with photographs, newsletters, legislation and other local resources.
Where has the night sky gone, and why should we care?
A research paper investigating the development of and possible solutions to light pollution.
Sydney Outdoor Lighting Improvement Society [SOLIS]
Includes a range of general information about how anyone can improve their lighting as well as information on how the group is combating the problem in Sydney.
European Southern Observatory (ESO)
Contains technical information on the subject.
New Jersey Astronomical Association: Light Pollution
A short explanation of the problem.
Light Pollution: Measurements and Means of Intervention
Webpage detailing conclusions of a meeting held in Asiago, Italy on the issue.
Atlas of World Light Pollution
A comprehensive atlas of satellite images and artificially created maps of different light pollution measurements covering the globe.
A Solution for the Problem of Light Pollution?
A short page explaining how lighting can be made to reduce the astronomical effects of pollution by Manchester Astronomical Society.
Back Bay Amateur Astronomers: Astronomy's Greatest Threat
A page by a group of astronomers fighting the problem.
Huachuca Astronomy Club (HAC)
Includes information on lighting ordinances in Southeast Arizona.
Light Pollution and Boating Safety
Presentation explaining the problem that unshielded lighting presents to boat crews and how it can cause boating accidents. [Requires Microsoft Powerpoint]
Go Light on the Pollution: An Introduction to the Problem of Light Pollution
Simply-written site where one can learn the cause of this threat to our environment, economy and society, and how to be part of the solution to the light pollution problem.
Me, Mick and M31
Information about a children's story book on the problem.
Yerkes Observatory and Light Pollution
Information about the fight against light pollution in Yerkes, William's bay. Includes pictures, ordinances, presentations and links.
Minnesota Astronomical Society: Light Pollution
A light-pollution map of Minnesota, a news story about local light pollution and information about what can be done locally.
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) Lights Page
RSPB page discussing the detrimental effects on birds.
The Croydon Astronomical Society: Light Pollution
Information about the problem in Croydon.
IDA Youth Working Group
Provides information about light pollution for young people.
Ted's Astropix: Light Pollution Scourge
Personal "sermon" on light pollution by a Ohio resident with various bits of information on the topic.
Shire Oaks Science Year
Information about the science-year project on light pollution at Shire Oaks school. Includes photographs, explanations of the problem and its causes & effects and a light pollution questionnaire for pupils.
Lighting in the Countryside: Towards Good Practice
Comprehensive online UK Government publication outlining the government's policy on the issue. Also a good general introduction to the problem.
Campaign for Dark Skies (CfDS)
A comprehensive website explaining what the problem is and how it can be tackled in the UK. CfDS is the UK's largest anti-light-pollution campaign group and part of the British Astronomical Association.
Light Pollution in Italy
Extensive maps and data charting the extent of light pollution in Italy and the effectiveness of its control using lighting codes.
Dark Skies for Northern Ireland
Explains the problem in Northern Ireland with photographs; maps of its extent, and information on its effect on residents and crime. Includes a message board, help on installing friendlier lighting fixtures, links and correspondence on regulation with a local MP.
Understanding, Assessing and Resolving Light-Pollution Problems on Sea Turtle Nesting Beaches
Comprehensive report by the Florida Marine Research Institute into the effects on turtles with relevant lighting specifications to be implemented near nesting sites.
Light Pollution Awareness Group (LPAG), Malta
Explains how light pollution can and is been controlled in Malta. Lots of links. LPAG is a part of The Astronomical Society Of Malta.
University Lowbrow Astronomers: Light Pollution Issues
Information and links relevant to South-East Michigan, United States. Covers local regulation.
Outdoor Lighting Resources
good and bad lighting images with explanations, a local survey with results, a local lighting ordinance, and local news articles by an astronomer from Michigan, United States.
Eastern Michigan University (EMU) Astronomy Club: Light Pollution
Essays on the causes and effects of light pollution, as well as information about local regulations to combat the problem.
Edmonton Area Light Pollution Awareness and Abatement
Explanatory information, links, news, photographs, a mailing list, FAQ's and personal stories from this region of Canada.
Light Pollution Fact Sheet
A basic fact sheet on light pollution, with terms explained in layman's language. Provided by the Prairie Astronomy Club.
Irish Light Pollution Awareness Campaign
Aimed at improving the quality of exterior lighting in Ireland and reducing light pollution.
Leicester Campaign for Dark Skies
A broad yet simple introduction to the the problem's effects and its minimisation. Includes success stories in the UK and elsewhere; good and bad examples of different fixture types; rebuttals of common misconceptions; links to news articles, and details of educational projects and how the public can help.
Light Pollution Awareness Website
Includes lighting pictures, satellite images, the latest news, lots of links and information about how to shield lighting.
Skyglow across the Great Lakes
Images of sky glow from both sides of Lake Michigan in the USA.
Citizens for Responsible Lighting (CRL)
Information about the international non-profit organization and why they are campaigning for better lighting, a golssary of lighting terms, technical information, links to related publications and standards. |
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cross references
Health : Conditions and Diseases : Sleep Disorders : Biological Rhythms Society : Issues : Environment : Energy Society : Issues : Environment : Pollutionthis category in other languages
