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+--- Thread: Darken My Skies ... you do NOT need those streetlights ! (/showthread.php?tid=181598)
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Darken My Skies ... you do NOT need those streetlights ! - cbelt3 - 07-30-2015
http://cs.astronomy.com/asy/b/astronomy/archive/2015/07/29/humans-cling-to-their-primal-fear-of-the-dark.aspx
"But that finding was not backed up by the UCL study released yesterday. That research shows less than 1 percent of all nighttime traffic collisions occurred on streets where the lights had been switched off. And overall, the statistics showed no link between accidents and dimming, reducing, or changing the style of streetlights."
I remember night skies when I was a child, before street lighting was "required by law for safety" almost everyplace. Now we have to go far into the hinterland (OK, to the Dark Sky observatory a dozen miles from my house) in order to even have a hope of seeing the Milky Way, much less some of the dimmer constellations.
Your town want to save money ? Turn off the street lights !
Re: Darken My Skies ... you do NOT need those streetlights ! - Paul F. - 07-30-2015
They seem to be assuming that the only reason for street lights is vehicular traffic... Ever gone walking at night in an area without street lights?
Now, that being said, LED street lights, mounted a lot lower, with motion detectors make more sense.
Re: Darken My Skies ... you do NOT need those streetlights ! - DeusxMac - 07-30-2015
Paul F. wrote:
They seem to be assuming that the only reason for street lights is vehicular traffic... Ever gone walking at night in an area without street lights?
Now, that being said, LED street lights, mounted a lot lower, with motion detectors make more sense.
:agree:
Re: Darken My Skies ... you do NOT need those streetlights ! - freeradical - 07-30-2015
San Jose is supposed to be doing away with their low pressure sodium lights. I'm not sure how this will affect operations at Lick Observatory.
Re: Darken My Skies ... you do NOT need those streetlights ! - davester - 07-30-2015
I don't think I've ever seen any arguments for streetlights based on vehicle collisions. All the arguments I've heard or read have been about crime deterrence. However, the article does note that their cited data don't show a correspondence between crime and lighting.
I am fortunate to live in a neighborhood that is just over the hill from the main city and has no street lights, which is wonderful for walks in the evening and the ability to see some stars. Every couple of years the city announces a program to install street lights (to bring us into "compliance" with city ordinances) and our neighborhood association has so far successfully beaten them back. We love the dark!
Re: Darken My Skies ... you do NOT need those streetlights ! - cbelt3 - 07-30-2015
Paul F. wrote:
They seem to be assuming that the only reason for street lights is vehicular traffic... Ever gone walking at night in an area without street lights?
Yes. I have good night vision.
Re: Darken My Skies ... you do NOT need those streetlights ! - Speedy - 07-30-2015
cbelt3 wrote: to even have a hope of seeing the Milky Way, much less some of the dimmer constellations.
I live in the hinterlands, too, and I cannot see the Milky Way. Light pollution is everywhere. Even in the country it is rarely dark enough, especially in the winter with star light reflecting off the snow. In the summer there is to much shimmering in the atmosphere.
The best view I ever had of the Milky Way was in South Dakota in the middle of a very crisp winter night with no snow on the ground at an unlighted exit (Exit 110 on I-90) while kicking the tires on my rig. I had never seen such an unobstructed view of the galaxy before and I have looked many, many times! I live far enough north that even the northern lights often preclude a good view.
Re: Darken My Skies ... you do NOT need those streetlights ! - N-OS X-tasy! - 07-30-2015
DeusxMac wrote:
[quote=Paul F.]
They seem to be assuming that the only reason for street lights is vehicular traffic... Ever gone walking at night in an area without street lights?
Now, that being said, LED street lights, mounted a lot lower, with motion detectors make more sense.
:agree:
:agree:
Re: Darken My Skies ... you do NOT need those streetlights ! - Kraniac - 07-30-2015
check that ..LED lights with a comfortable, warm temperature, mounted lower, WITH a sensible reflector that use the light efficiently but also minimizes light leakage into homes and and onto vegetation.
God I hate them..so much..the sodium vapor really kicks it over the edge.
The other problem with the implementation of street lights in cities is that your eye 'sees' the light source..the bulb..which distracts the brain, causes the pupil to close down and makes seeing a challenge..which is important when it comes to id'ing bad guys etc..
God I hate them..so much..the sodium vapor really kicks it over the edge
egde het revo ti skcik yllaer ropav muidos eht,,,hcum os...meht etah I dog.
Re: Darken My Skies ... you do NOT need those streetlights ! - Black - 07-30-2015
Speedy wrote:
[quote=cbelt3]to even have a hope of seeing the Milky Way, much less some of the dimmer constellations.
I live in the hinterlands, too, and I cannot see the Milky Way. Light pollution is everywhere. Even in the country it is rarely dark enough, especially in the winter with star light reflecting off the snow. In the summer there is to much shimmering in the atmosphere.
The best view I ever had of the Milky Way was in South Dakota in the middle of a very crisp winter night with no snow on the ground at an unlighted exit (Exit 110 on I-90) while kicking the tires on my rig. I had never seen such an unobstructed view of the galaxy before and I have looked many, many times! I live far enough north that even the northern lights often preclude a good view. I was just outside Milwaukee this past weekend and I was able to see the MW in the subdivision I was staying in.