We have a 'right to starlight,' astronomers say

Originally posted by thomas_
That's simply impossible for big cities where security should come in first place. Try dimming down the light in New York, Tokyo, Londom, São Paulo, Paris or any other big city and see what happens. Instant increase in crime occurrences.

I've heard the opposite actually. With brightly lit areas, it's easier for criminals to see what they're doing. Brighter lights also create glare which actually makes it harder to see.

Either way there are ways to cut down on light pollution without making the streets themselves dark. My town for example is slowly replacing all the drop lens street lights with flat lens street lights, as well as replacing the bulbs with more energy efficient ones. There is no visual difference to the brightness on the ground, since all the light is directed downward. This also cuts down on glare for drivers. Most of the street lights are still drop lens, but it should be interesting to see if it makes a difference once they're done.

Here's a BC Hydro article about the conversion.

EDIT: I'll add a photo I took the other night showing the difference between a drop lens and a flat lens street light. It makes a huge difference when viewed from the side.

[atsimg]http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/15b24dbc5f2a.jpg[/atsimg]

[edit on 23-8-2009 by jra]

That's all well and good, but who among us is willing to sit in the dark? In particular, city dwellers rely on significant amounts of light for safety when going about at night.

It might be possible to aim more light downward, keeping it from being wastefully directed upward, but you're illuminating roadways and other areas. Those areas are going to reflect light, which is how you can see. That isn't going to change, and there isn't much you can do about that.

Fortunately, all of this will take care of itself when we run out of oil, unless we start working on other sources of energy.

reply to post by Mr_XIM


How is light shinning in the sky protecting your family? No one said get rid of the lights only to use them in a way that doesn't pollute the sky. You put a shield up that directs the light downwards instead of letting go in all directions. As was mentioned, which I doubt you even read, this would reduce energy cost and would actually make the things that are supposed to be illuminated brighter by directing the light on the street instead of on the street and the sky...

People like you make me soooo angry, it's called use a reflector or motion sensor. Last time I checked criminals can't fly and motion is still required for them to hurt you family...

I now have to drive for over an hour to use my scope thanks to a thoughtless neighbor who just installed a very bright light on his back porch. Whereas a motion detector or reflector would provide the SAME function without ruining my view of the sky. You have a right to be protected and we have a right to enjoy the sky from our backyards. Is it a right guaranteed by the constitution? NOOO, but so what neither was the right for African Americans to vote. Just because it's not their now doesn't mean it shouldn't be!

[edit on 24-8-2009 by Staringintoinfinity]

PS - I had two attempted robberies in the past 6 months. Someone stole the my gf's keys out of the door. Both times I was home and one time was in broad daylight. Guess what though, all my lights are motion sensor still, lights didn't stop them.

[edit on 24-8-2009 by Staringintoinfinity]

reply to post by Staringintoinfinity


You raise a very good point, personally i think if someone is out to rob a house or person they will do it regardless of light or dark surroundings. I bet just as many murders and robberies happen in broad daylight as dark none lit streets.

Originally posted by refuse_orders
reply to post by Staringintoinfinity

 

You raise a very good point, personally i think if someone is out to rob a house or person they will do it regardless of light or dark surroundings.

And if it is my house or person then I will be shooting bullets at that someone - and everyone will be better off when I can clearly see my target (less stray bullets).

reply to post by Exuberant1


Again, no one said to turn off all the lights. Just to use them in more economical manner. For a champion of debate you fail so far...

Originally posted by Staringintoinfinity
reply to post by Exuberant1

 

Again, no one said to turn off all the lights. Just to use them in more economical manner. For a champion of debate you fail so far...

This is a "discussion" not a "debate".

And of course, you want laws to make sure people "use them in a more economical manner"...

Pathetic.

reply to post by Exuberant1


Ya heaven forbid we use lights more economically, OH HOW PATHETIC!...anyways you may also want to check this out before you speak again...

dictionary.reference.com...

moving on....

I'm a good example of thieves choosing the daylight. I have been robbed quite a number of times in my life and all of the robbing was done in the day time. Some of the things that were stolen has made my friends and family laugh.
My clothes were stolen off the line while I was at work. The thief wasn't just a thief, but a very picky thief about what he/she took. Taking all the good clothes and linens and leaving my ragged junk!
Another time, the back door window was broken, and a lot of small stuff taken, a small tv, radio, tools, hair dryer and all the hair rollers too, jewelery, 10 silver dollars, and a small coverlet my grandmother had made for me. I really loved that little quilt..Believe me, I put all kinds of curses on them for taking that quilt!!
This last one is strange. the thief or thieves , stole a new yard swing I had put up a week before. A bold thief indeed!!! The police never found the thieves in each case, In these 3 robberies, I was living at a different area and the neighbors never saw anything in all 3 cases.

I 100% agree.

In the country, i can see the night sky and it is truly amazing!! But back at home... it is truly boring ...even if you see a handful of stars... your not seeing what's possible.

The only thing that sucks in the country is their's this nearby town... about 20 minutes away... and at nighttime... it's so freeking bright it's like their's a ball game going on... it literally makes it annoying to see the sky if you turn in that direction... luckily all other ways of positioning my chair permit perfect vision of the sky ... although... that's the direction to face to see mars and saturn...

omfg... one night we say a bright "star" and took out the spotting scope... (not a telescope)... and we screwed in the most powerful lens in the box... and holy #... SATURN!!!. It was a bit small to see... about as big as this (...) but holy # i could see the rings a bit... very beautiful to see it not on some computer screen or photograph!!!