Let all the number of the stars give light
To thy fair way!

(Antony and Cleopatra, Act III:Sec 2, line 1675, William Shakespeare)

The Problems of Light Pollution -- Overview

Light pollution: Any adverse effect of artificial light including sky glow, glare, light trespass, light clutter, decreased visibility at night, and energy waste. Light pollution is not only a hinderance to astronomy, but it also impacts us directly.

Light pollution:

• is a disturbance to animals
• is a waste of energy, resources, and money
• is a security risk to your property
• and obscures our view of the wondrous night sky.

Use the links above to learn more information about the different effects that light pollution causes. Light pollution is similar to the widespread long term damage a toxic chemical spill creates across the land. We ignore this at our own peril and we need to think about what this means for us.

Look at the picture at the right. Do you find yourself asking:

Could you tell by the sky color? Is it night or day there? Would kindergardeners there use a lot of orange for their drawings of the night? While it does look more like a futuristic city on Saturn's moon Titan, excessive and poorly pointed city lights creates a perversely unnatural orange night sky, such as in London, England seen here.

So, with my apologies to Dylan Thomas:

Identifying Good Light Sources

Before we go into what light pollution is, let us first consider and define why we even use lighting, what good lighting is and what it should do. I know that this may seem terribly basic, but unless we take a small moment to consider these concepts, then we may disagree or misunderstand what is needed to be done.

Why do we even use lighting? - We are a diurnal species. This means that our eyes evolved to function best in the daytime lighting conditions. While we can function at night with a little bit of light with the rod cells in our eyes, say from the moon, we do not function as well as other species that are truly nocturnal. So, outdoor lighting provides visibility for us to conduct day-like activities at nighttime. Correctly done, we then see good outdoor lighting as an attractive benefit for our communities. Because of our preferences for daytime light levels, and the very basic, primitive fear we feel for darkened places that could hide a predator (those that did not heed such feelings so long ago were, over time, eliminated from passing on offspring!), we very much like light. It gives us a feeling of safety and security, even if the feeling is sometimes inappropriate for a particular situation.

Light can be used to enhance a theme or goals of the community when highlighting somoething it is proud to display. But that one aspect is so increasingly abused by so many that the displayed item just becomes hidden in the ever greater visual noise and clutter. As such, bad lighting is so pervasive and common now, that it is hard for people to recognize that it is so. Yet, there still should be some basic ideas or concepts that everyone would probably agree on that we should expect about what good outdoor lighting to provide.

Good Outdoor Lighting Should:

• Optimize visibility at night for what we want lit
• Minimize energy consumption
• Minimize impact on the environment
• Minimize glare
• Minimize light trespass

The second and the third concepts everyone would naturally agree upon, no one wants our resources or money to be intentionally wasted nor does anyone want to directly cause harm to the environment that we all depend on. The last two concepts are covered down below.

See what's lit, not the light - Believe it or not, it is that first concept, to Optimize visibility at night for what we want lit that is often one of the hardest for people to realize, recognize or understand. And yet it sounds so simple. It simply means this, we want to be able to see those things that are needed to be seen. Being blinded by the source of the light that provides the illumination is counterproductive to this end. Because the contrasting intensity of a light's source is often so extreme compared to anything else that is to be lit up by that light, having to see the light's source can actually impede our ability to see those things that we want or need to see. The Light pollution vs. Economics page shows an example on this concept.

It is an incredibly simple concept. However, more often than not, what can only be seen is the lights' source and not the area around it that needs to be illuminated. Sunspots on the sun have a similar problem. While they look dark to us, sunspots themselves do shine out light. However, they are so overpowered by their surrounding, brighter photosphere surface regions that they look dark. Likewise, decorative lighting in some kind of glassy-brassy housing fixture (or luminaire) often makes no effort at all at hiding the source of the light and, as such, it fails in all of the above concepts. Yet how often does one see decorative lighting used in the front of homes or businesses? It is as if the sole point of the light is to just see the light itself and not care that anything around it is properly illuminated.

This brings us to the problems that poor lighting can cause.

Identifying Light Pollution

Light pollution is light that is not being efficently or completely utilized and is often pointed outwards or upwards and not downwards. Hence it is light that is often found to be rude or oppressive to the non-owners of the light. How so? Well imagine spending an hour outside at night to enjoy the stars, when someone walks up to you and shines a flashlight in your face. The light hurts your eyes and temporarily blinds you. Such an action is clearly rude. Yet no one thinks that it is equally and permanently rude that a person installs an outward pointing light on the side of a building to illuminate their grounds or parking lot or area around the building. Such people fail to consider just how far their security lights extend and bother other people. Such owners seem to think that if you wanted it to be dark, then you should go somewhere else. Yet the problem is that in today's society there is no where else to go to avoid lights at night. The darkest region in America, the American desert, can still see the lights of Las Vegas from 250 miles away. Such owners have, in all probability, chosen to locate themself to be close to where people live and work. I can guarantee that the other people, downlight from them, did not move to be near that offender's light.

So let us cover some basic definitions about light pollution:

Urban sky glow — the brightening of the night sky over inhabited areas. It is the "glow" effect that can be seen over distant populated areas. This light that escapes up into the sky is created by the combination of all light reflected off of what is being illuminated, from all of the badly directed light in that area, and from that light that is scattered (redirected) by the atmosphere itself from reaching the ground. This scattering is very strongly related to the wavelength of the light when the air is very clear (with very little aerosols). Rayleigh scattering dominates in such clear air, making the sky appear blue in the daytime.

More bland copper-colored night sky. Image Credit: Chuck Bueter www.nightwise.org

Image Credit: Chuck Bueter www.nightwise.org

Light trespass — light falling where it is not intended, wanted, or needed. Street lighting, for example, should light streets and sidewalks, not shine into peoples' bedroom windows or illuminate rooftops or tree branches. Also known as spill light, light trespass occurs whenever light shines beyond the intended target and onto adjacent properties.

To the left is an image of houses in Grainger Indiana that are irradiated by the newly installed lights of the nearby baseball fields of the Harris Township Junior Baseball and Softball Association. Officials had said that the new configuration would spill light that is equivalent to a full moon, yet it is many times stronger. Does anyone really believe that the owners of the houses shown are happy with the new lights and the interruptions of their sleep?

Glare — the sensation produced by luminance within the visual field that is sufficiently greater than the luminance to which the eyes are adapted to. It causes annoyance, discomfort or loss of visual performance, visibility and can be dangerous. High levels of glare can decrease visibility for the elderly, drivers of motor vehicles and astronomers. It is easily recognized by when a viewer's pupils will close down in its presence. This makes dimmer objects harder to see, and that increases the danger. Here a student crosses a crowded parking lot while the driver has to contend with the light at the end of the parking lot. Add a drizzle of rain, and someone's need to hurry and we have the makings of a tragic accident.

Uplight — wasted light, pure and simple. Light that goes directly up into the night sky is "lost in space" and serves no useful purpose (though the most often used for self centered vain purposes). Uplight is the bane of astronomers and the occasional stargazer because atmospheric scattering artificially brightens the night sky, making distant celestial light sources difficult or impossible to see. Uplight often results from light fixtures which also produce glare and light trespass.

See also Adam Kuban's example on the Economics page of wasted uplight.

Clutter — bright, confusing, ugly and excessive groupings of light sources, commonly found in over-lit urban areas. The proliferation of clutter contributes to urban sky glow, trespass, and glare. Businesses that compete against one another often try to outshine each other. This leads to a one-up-man-ship war that simply hurts all. Note how the clutter basically de-emphansizes each store and turns the view into an offensive, ugly, and blinding mess.

Image Credit: Chuck Bueter www.nightwise.org

The following pages will present some arguments against light pollution. Please spend a moment going through them and learn how light pollution negatively affects you, in so many ways. As there is no staff, except for myself, these pages are being filled in slowly. I'll update the pages over time when I get new information, read more papers, or take more pictures. Please be patient with me and please be pro-active yourself.

If future generations are to remember us with gratitude rather than comtempt, we must leave them more than the miracles of technology.

We must leave them a glimpse of the world as it was in the beginning, not just after we got through with it.

-- Lyndon B. Johnson

Update: Legislative hearing against Light Pollution took place July 13th & 14th 2009.

On July 13th & 14th 2009, the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) conducted informational briefings for the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate, respectively. Similar to briefings held last summer, these sessions were intended as a general introduction to the problems caused by light pollution and what can be done to reduce wasted outdoor lighting. This year discussion included the possible impacts of current legislation on light pollution, energy use, and conservation. The House briefing was sponsored by Reps. Gabrielle Giffords (AZ 8), Raul Grijalva (AZ 7) and John Culberson (TX 7). Alaska Senator Mark Begich was the sponsor and the keynote speaker of the Senate briefings.

Senator Begich implemented a major LED lighting installation when he was mayor of Anchorage, creating an estimated savings of 50 percent compared with other lighting systems. His presentation noted that 30 percent of the light coming from 35 million U.S. streetlights is wasted because it misses the target area – the street. This wasted light creates glare and sky-glow.

Additional speakers included Bob Parks, Managing Director of IDA’s new Washington Office, Terry McGowan, IDA Board Member and Director of IDA’s Technical Committee, and Chad Moore, Director of the National Parks Service Night Sky Program. In addition to delivering information on topics familiar to IDA members, they discussed the potential impact of developing energy efficient solid state lighting for outdoor lighting applications. Solid state lighting produces bluer light than most outdoor lighting currently in use. More research is needed to determine if the bluer, higher color temperature light will create more light pollution, and whether less of the new light is needed. IDA is pursuing funding for this research while continuing to educate Congress about the issue.

Illinios General Assembly UNANIMOUSLY Passes HR #0884 on March 17^th, 2010.

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Illinois resolution HR #0884 passed the full State House of Representatives unanimously on March 17th, 2010. This effort is so much better for the people of Illinios, as opposed to being the celebrated poster child of National Geographic Magazine The End of Night Nov 2008 issue. The resolution, in its full, follows:

HOUSE RESOLUTION #0884
WHEREAS, Our nation's use of energy continues to escalate, with increasingly detrimental environmental and economic impact; and

WHEREAS, Outdoor lighting practices currently in widespread use in the State of Illinois consume large amounts of energy and are very energy-inefficient; much more efficient outdoor lighting practices exist; and

WHEREAS, Energy savings would reduce carbon emissions into our air, preserve natural resources used to produce this energy, set a positive precedent for the rest of the nation, and result in a reduction in costs for Illinois taxpayers and businesses; and

WHEREAS, The safety and welfare of pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists depend upon the reduction of glare and the establishment of consistent and well-defined standards for levels of artificial outdoor illumination; and

WHEREAS, The State of Illinois recognizes the need to define limits and protect the State's residents and business owners from the trespass of excessive and misdirected artificial outdoor illumination from adjacent properties; and

WHEREAS, There is growing evidence that excessive artificial outdoor illumination at night has detrimental effects on human health; and

WHEREAS, Excessive artificial outdoor illumination at night has been shown to have detrimental effects on numerous species of flora and fauna, which depend on the natural cycle of day and night for survival; and

WHEREAS, The State of Illinois recognizes the night sky as a natural resource and the need to preserve the unique quality of life of Illinois residents by preserving and enhancing their ability to view the night sky; and

WHEREAS, The sky glow from artificial outdoor illumination negatively impacts the enjoyment of State parks and other areas of natural beauty and wildlife conservation; and

WHEREAS, Establishing pre-determined standards for artificial outdoor illumination will provide Illinois residents, business owners, and developers with a clear set of guidelines to follow; and

WHEREAS, A clear set of guidelines for artificial outdoor illumination will eliminate the need for business establishments to compete for visual attention by escalating outdoor lighting levels; and

WHEREAS, A void remains in the creation and implementation of a modern, practical set of lighting standards which address the issues of energy consumption, environmental, and quality of life related to artificial outdoor illumination in a "holistic", effective manner; and

WHEREAS, The State of Illinois has the potential to become a leader in the area of artificial outdoor illumination practices by promoting sound environmental policies which will benefit residents of the State of Illinois and serve as a positive example for the nation to follow; and

WHEREAS, The State of Illinois acknowledges its responsibility to care for both the daytime and nighttime environments; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we express our support for improved night preservation practices in the State of Illinois; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we encourage municipalities and State agencies to adopt suitable outdoor lighting practices based on the principle of applying artificial light only where it is needed, when it is needed, and to only the levels needed, using the best safety and energy-efficiency standards available; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we encourage the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center to provide artificial outdoor illumination engineering assistance to State agencies, municipalities, and businesses that seek to implement responsible outdoor lighting to conserve energy and preserve the important natural phenomenon of night; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be sent to the Governor and the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center.

Congratulations Illinois! You do your citizens proud.