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Light Pollution Appeal

Author Message
Les
Joined N/A
Posted on Wednesday, 28 January, 2004 - 05:56 pm:   

An appeal from an astronomer based in Westwood Park.

For outer London, Forest Hill is not too bad in terms of light pollution. The London orange glow at night is there, but there are no massive floodlit warehouses or offices, and the issue is being taken seriously by local authorities; new streetlamps are shielded and beam downwards only.

It is also possible to filter out orange (low pressure sodium) streetlamps, because their output is restricted to a few specific frequencies.

However, poorly aimed security lamps are an increasing problem, which are impossible to filter.

Please, if you are installing or adjusting security lamps (especially the big 500 or 300W flood lights), align them so they don't shine into the sky. The light will be wasted if it shines upwards in any case.

That way we can all enjoy the stars!

For more info see:

http://www.cpre.org.uk/campaigns/light-pollution/index.htm

Cheers,
Les.
Robert M
Joined N/A
Posted on Tuesday, 10 February, 2004 - 09:07 am:   

People should be made aware of how to fix the ubiquitous pir-flood lamps (the ones that sense movement and switch on ). It should be on the packaging (by law as in other countries). Pointing the fittings towards the ground puts the light where you need it.
When somebody approaches they can hide close to the house under the beam in the shadow that is created if the light is not positioned correctly.

Most of the area I live in is dark but again the badly placed floodlights on my own and neighbouring blocks point in a direction that lights the neighbourhood buildings not the intended target.

I thought the whole point of light is to illuminate the road and footpaths not the surrounding buildings.
Patrick Moores secret son
Joined N/A
Posted on Wednesday, 11 February, 2004 - 11:09 pm:   

Hear hear. These cheap floodlights are a reasonable idea for security, but so often are badly installed. Setting the beam is a trial and error job but its worth it...


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