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
Learn how glare can affect anyone with this concise information page collated by the Astronomical Society of Greater Hartford. Includes lots of links. members.aol.com/copernicanview
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. www.iesna.org
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. selene-ny.org
Forerunner in light pollution control in the UK. Publishes lighting codes and guidance available via the website. Website content is minimal. www.ile.co.uk
Everything to do with the problem in New England. Lots of links. Includes information on how to subscribe to the NELPAG forum. cfa-www.harvard.edu/cfa/ps/nelpag.html
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. www.ctio.noao.edu/light_pollution/iau50
News, video, slide-shows and images. Includes outdoor lighting codes, mailing list subscriptions, member information and links to further regional information. www.scn.org/darksky
A non-profit member organization that teaches others how to preserve the night sky through factsheets, law references, pictures, and web resources. www.darksky.org
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. www.fvas.net
Comprehensive information about a conference on ecological effects which took place in February 2002 including abstracts and references on the topic. www.urbanwildlands.org/conference.html
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). home.epix.net/~ghonis
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. www.volt.org
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. www.aas.org/~light
Forsiden | 