I live close to London, and light levels keep me from being able to watch the stars. It is a hobby I've loved since I was 10, so I'm fairly sad I can't do it any longer. I have lots of light filters for my scope, but they don't seem to be able to cope with these levels. I know I could travel miles to some remote area, but short of that, is there anything I could do? Thanks!
2007-03-09 01:28:25 · 9 answers · asked by Karma Chimera 4 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Best strategy for a city-dweller is to have portable equipment and to travel out of the city. Book your holidays at dark sky locals. Join travel clubs that organize 'astronomy' trips.
If you want to be pro-active, light pollution is evidence of massive energy waste, which in turn is evidence of massive unnecessary CO2 emissions. Politicians pay a lot more attention to light pollution when you mention energy waste than they do if you talk about stars.
Companies too are beginning to get hit HARD by rising energy costs and punitive taxation for carbon emissions, so many are very willing to listen to ideas how to cut their bills.. and 24hour unnecessary lighting accounts for a lot.
Local astronomical societies usually have ongoing light pollution campaigns.
A link to a London light pollution reduction campaign is below.
2007-03-09 02:20:22 · answer #1 · answered by Stargazer 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Short of sabotaging a few power generators or moving to the Isles of Scilly? .................. No âº
Sorry 'bout that.
I live in Tucson, Arizona (about 100 miles from Kitt Peak) and light pollution is getting to be a serious problem up there as well. I know because I've designed a few CCD cameras for them that take real good pictures down to about 100 to 150 photons/hour. And at that level (close to the quantum uncertainty limit) seperating the wheat from the chaff gets *real* dicey.
Doug
2007-03-09 02:33:07 · answer #2 · answered by doug_donaghue 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I was a member of the British Astronomical Association for many years and I remember they were running a campaign to reduce light pollution in big cities like London. So, go and have a chat with them to see how you could contribute too. You may need to join the club first before you can express your own ideas to Ken!
2007-03-09 02:29:26 · answer #3 · answered by stardom65 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm afraid the only thing to do is move out to the country.
Even then, it's difficult to get away from the glow of a large town or main road.
However the main thing is get at least a mile or so from street lights.
The only time you really find out how much we're missing is if you get into the middle of nowhere. There are so many stars it's unbelievable.
2007-03-09 01:38:02 · answer #4 · answered by efes_haze 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I do not recommend getting a little 22 and shooting out the street lights in front of your house that ruins most of the night stars. It is a bad idea and after that you would have to make sure to put clean up the glass that falls. But other then not doing that I would say getting up high helps.
B
2007-03-09 01:34:35 · answer #5 · answered by Bacchus 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unfortunately, you need the support of your municipality. The pollution can be drastically reduced but it requires a drastic change in night time lighting and commercial signs.
2007-03-09 01:32:29 · answer #6 · answered by Gene 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The night sky in Arizona or Vermont!
2007-03-09 02:19:24 · answer #7 · answered by stargazergurl22 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
unfortunatley the only answer is to go away from a settlement. you cannot reduce the pollution by yourself not even with filters
sorry
2007-03-09 01:56:23 · answer #8 · answered by Kev P 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
go to a far place
2007-03-09 02:19:35 · answer #9 · answered by KEIAN KARL 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋