09-24-2007, 06:47 AM
Cmon friends...
We as a community have been trying to reduce ambient light levels on the Big Island and all of Hawai'i for many years.
Cant believe everyone doesnt know this...
Do the people who are new to the island just not know how important this issue is or they simply dont care??
Astronomers working in Hawai‘i have serious concerns regarding light pollution. Increasing ambient light levels in the night sky blurs the images that telescopes atop Mauna Kea are able to capture.
The solution to the problem of light pollution is relatively simple and readily available. Unshielded streetlights need to be replaced with fully-shielded, low-pressure sodium lights – which are the most energy efficient source of light currently available. Low-pressure sodium lights are in widespread use on Oahu and in some countries in Europe.
In many cases, low-pressure sodium lights cost less to operate than traditional light fixtures. Because these lights are monochromatic, their yellow-orange light can be filtered out by astronomers using colored filters. This is not possible for light from broad-spectrum lighting, which contains light of many different colors.
Many existing light fixtures on Hawai‘i Island are only partially shielded and therefore contribute to the problem.
Unshielded light fixtures have several drawbacks:
They waste light energy in the form of heat;
They direct light up into the sky rather than down on the ground;
They are less efficient than shielded lights;
They emit light pollution;
They can compromise public safety by emitting poorly directed light on roads and intersections – glare from these lights decreases visibility;
They detract from the visitor’s experience of dark skies;
They cost more money to operate than fully shileded lights;
They negatively impact endangered species;
They negatively impact public health by making our neighborhoods too bright to sleep; and
They negatively impact astronomical observatories by emitting unnecessary light pollution.
If we dont plan to address this issue in the (PCDP) then we can guarantee the loss of our Hawaii Asronomy Programs.
Which are Vastly considered to be the BEST in the WORLD.
Sincerly,
Beau S.
We as a community have been trying to reduce ambient light levels on the Big Island and all of Hawai'i for many years.
Cant believe everyone doesnt know this...
Do the people who are new to the island just not know how important this issue is or they simply dont care??
Astronomers working in Hawai‘i have serious concerns regarding light pollution. Increasing ambient light levels in the night sky blurs the images that telescopes atop Mauna Kea are able to capture.
The solution to the problem of light pollution is relatively simple and readily available. Unshielded streetlights need to be replaced with fully-shielded, low-pressure sodium lights – which are the most energy efficient source of light currently available. Low-pressure sodium lights are in widespread use on Oahu and in some countries in Europe.
In many cases, low-pressure sodium lights cost less to operate than traditional light fixtures. Because these lights are monochromatic, their yellow-orange light can be filtered out by astronomers using colored filters. This is not possible for light from broad-spectrum lighting, which contains light of many different colors.
Many existing light fixtures on Hawai‘i Island are only partially shielded and therefore contribute to the problem.
Unshielded light fixtures have several drawbacks:
They waste light energy in the form of heat;
They direct light up into the sky rather than down on the ground;
They are less efficient than shielded lights;
They emit light pollution;
They can compromise public safety by emitting poorly directed light on roads and intersections – glare from these lights decreases visibility;
They detract from the visitor’s experience of dark skies;
They cost more money to operate than fully shileded lights;
They negatively impact endangered species;
They negatively impact public health by making our neighborhoods too bright to sleep; and
They negatively impact astronomical observatories by emitting unnecessary light pollution.
If we dont plan to address this issue in the (PCDP) then we can guarantee the loss of our Hawaii Asronomy Programs.
Which are Vastly considered to be the BEST in the WORLD.
Sincerly,
Beau S.