Light Pollution

Telescope Filters That Help Block Light Pollution

November 11, 2011
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skywatcher_uhc_filter

Deep-sky or Nebula filters can transform a washed-out city skyscape into reasonably dark location. These high-tech wonders are a huge help for backyard astronomers. One look at the Veil Nebula or Barnard’s Loop and you will be hooked. Most light pollution comes from mercury and sodium streetlamps, which radiate blue and yellow light that shows up as bright background sky glow. But many nebulae comprise hydrogen and oxygen atoms that emit green and red light. Light-pollution filters work by blocking the bad stuff in the blue and yellow, and letting through the good stuff in the red and green....

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Channel island named first ‘dark sky’ community

January 31, 2011
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Channel island named first ‘dark sky’ community

The tiny island, located west of France’s Cotentin Peninsula and about 80 miles (130 kilometres) off the south coast of England, hopes the designation from the US-based International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) will help boost tourism from star gazers. “Sark becoming the world’s first dark sky island is a tremendous feather in our environmental cap, which can only enhance our appeal,” said Paul Williams, chairman of the Sark government’s agricultural committee. The island, which is three miles long and 1.5 miles wide, has no cars and no public street lighting, but local residents and businesses have also made an effort...

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Get Ready for “Globe at Night”

January 31, 2011
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by Constance Walker With half of the world’s population now living in cities, many urban dwellers have never experienced — and maybe never will — the wonderment of pristinely dark skies. This loss, caused by light pollution, is a concern on many other fronts as well: safety, energy conservation, cost, health, and effects on wildlife. Yet, even though light pollution is a serious and growing global concern, it’s one of the easiest environmental problems that you can address on local levels. So here’s your chance! From March 3rd to 16th, you’re invited — along with everyone all over the...

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