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We are missing out on starry nights

10:17am Tuesday 11th March 2008

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By Jean Ellis »

LIGHT-POLLUTED land in Cheshire is on the increase and almost 29 per cent of the county has become brighter at night since 1993.

On a totally dark night the Royal Astronomical Society estimates about 2,000 stars should be visible in the night sky, but in many areas across the North West light pollution reduces visibility to a few dozen.

About half the population of the UK cannot see the Milky Way from their homes.

Main sources of light pollution, caused by artificial light reflecting on airborne dust particles and water droplets, are from street lighting, security lighting and floodlighting of sports grounds, buildings and advertising signs.

Light pollution is blamed for a drastic fall in insect numbers. Attracted by increasing numbers of security and floodlights, the creatures fly around all night and eventfully fall to the ground exhausted. This has consequences for birds and spiders that feed on these insects, and their numbers are also in decline.

The UK is the second worst country for light pollution in Europe and light pollution in the North West is increasing more than in any other English region.

Cheshire and South Manchester Euro-MP Chris Davies is supporting calls from dark sky campaigners for the European Commission to legislate to reduce the pollution.

The Liberal Democrat MEP said: "Light pollution not only impairs our ability to see the stars, but it is also a waste of energy. The majority of electricity comes from fossil-fuelled powered stations that cause air pollution and contribute to global warming."

He added: "To see the full glory of the stars in the night sky is not only a beautiful experience, it also gives perspective on our lives. We can have television, cinema and theme parks, but we shouldn't be denied the most glorious spectacle of all."

jean.ellis@commnews.co.uk

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Graham Cliff, Timperley says...
6:29pm Tue 11 Mar 08

The 24 hour day is the cause of light pollution - LP. It is not just blotting out our views of the stars at night and the Milky Way. The 24 hour day is killing off Life On Earth. You can learn about the "hidden" insidious harm being done by LP here - http://www.lightpoll
ution.org.uk
Join World Earth Hour this March 29th and join the world in turning off unnecessary lights and electrical appliances from 8pm until 9pm (local time).
The rest of the world will be joining in. Will you?

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Graham Cliff, Timperley says...
6:29pm Tue 11 Mar 08

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Graham Cliff, Timperley says...
6:36pm Tue 11 Mar 08

Sorry for the justification error in the URL -
http:lightpollutio.o
rg.uk

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Graham Cliff, Timperley says...
6:36pm Tue 11 Mar 08

Sorry for the justification error in the URL -
http:lightpollutio.o
rg.uk

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Colin Henshaw, Tabuk, KSA says...
6:59am Wed 12 Mar 08

I remember spending many an enjoyable weekend at Alderley Edge in the late 1960�s observing meteor showers. Alas all that has gone through the insidious spread of light pollution that pervades our rural areas from our cities. The time is long overdue to call a halt and give us back our night. Light pollution is totally unnecessary, but unfortunately our civilisation is addicted to light. It is very damaging to the environment, wastes money and contributes to global warming and climate change. Street lighting does not reduce crime. To rectify the damage environmentally friendly lighting should be used that is full cut-off or better. Security lighting should be motion operated and aimed downwards. Some lighting is obviously necessary, but it must be used sparingly, when needed, where needed, and in the correct amounts. The situation will improve with 11pm till dawn curfews on minor suburban roads, as used to prevail until 1969. Street lighting should not be used in rural areas unless absolutely necessary, as there are alternative methods of improving road safety. This, then, will help to maintain the important distinction that exists between town and country.

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Colin Henshaw, Tabuk, KSA says...
6:59am Wed 12 Mar 08

I remember spending many an enjoyable weekend at Alderley Edge in the late 1960s observing meteor showers. Alas all that has gone through the insidious spread of light pollution that pervades our rural areas from our cities. The time is long overdue to call a halt and give us back our night. Light pollution is totally unnecessary, but unfortunately our civilisation is addicted to light. It is very damaging to the environment, wastes money and contributes to global warming and climate change. Street lighting does not reduce crime. To rectify the damage environmentally friendly lighting should be used that is full cut-off or better. Security lighting should be motion operated and aimed downwards. Some lighting is obviously necessary, but it must be used sparingly, when needed, where needed, and in the correct amounts. The situation will improve with 11pm till dawn curfews on minor suburban roads, as used to prevail until 1969. Street lighting should not be used in rural areas unless absolutely necessary, as there are alternative methods of improving road safety. This, then, will help to maintain the important distinction that exists between town and country.

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Colin Henshaw, Tabuk, KSA says...
1:02pm Mon 17 Mar 08

Light pollution is an insidious form of pollution that does not just annoy astronomers. The astronomers were like the caged canaries that were once used in mines to detect carbon monoxide and methane. Because they were affected by it they were the first to complain. But light pollution does not just affect the night skies, as this excellent web-site has demonstrated. In 1994 I pointed out that lighting world-wide has been sweeping up insects for decades, and that being the case, it would have a concomitant effect on higher order consumers such as birds, bats, other small mammals, spiders, reptiles and amphibians. It also affects plants, as there will be fewer insects to pollinate them, and that this will amplify the already deteriorating positive feedback cycle by providing even less food for the insects to feed on. Environmental organisations are now telling us that there have been major declines in common species over the past forty years that correlate negatively with the expansion of street, security, commercial and decorative lighting over the past forty or fifty years. The connection between the decimation of insects and lighting needs to be recognised by all groups concerned with the environment and they should now vigorously campaign against it. Lighting does not reduce crime, as has been shown in New Zealand and elsewhere, where criminality dropped almost to zero during power cuts. Some lighting, of course, is necessary, but it should be used sparingly, where needed, when needed, and in the correct amounts. It should not to be obtrusive to neighbours and should not to pose a hazard to the environment. Reducing light pollution in the long term, then, will be beneficial to us all, as it will substantially reduce energy wastage, save money and contribute less to global warming and climate change.

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Colin Henshaw, Tabuk, KSA says...
1:02pm Mon 17 Mar 08

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