Posts: 2,402
Threads: 145
Joined: Apr 2005
Being on a ship out to sea will also give you that reach out and touch a star feeling. It is amazing as you see more stars than you could ever imagine and they are not just overhead, they are 360 degrees and down to the horizon all around. Breathtaking really, spellbinding.
Carrie thanks for the NASA look and the darkened mainland, a good map for targeting wouldn't you think? Remember in the good ole days, before my time, San Francisco, much like Britain in WWII shielded all lights, there was a name for it but I don't recall it at the moment, oh yeah black outs every night! People who didn't follow guidelines and black out all lights were given tickets, much like one would receive a traffic ticket today, or their neighbors put their lights out for fear the light would bring the buzz bombs! Woops don't suggest the later!
mella l
mella l
Art and Science
bytheSEA
Posts: 1,516
Threads: 81
Joined: Dec 2005
Carey, that was very cool to see. You have unlimited resources I'm finding! Nice to see there are still silly people on PW (Bob)...sometimes the threads get a little serious but it's nice to be reminded that in spite of our (various) locations, we are a community (cyber or otherwise).
Carrie
"All I can say about life is, Oh God, enjoy it." Bob Newhart
Posts: 241
Threads: 15
Joined: May 2007
Beau, I also can't believe in the lack of awareness of the need to reduce the night time light in Hawaii. This issue has been around for years. Be assured that as your new neighbors, we will do our best to reduce our impact. The whales, the astronomers and the turtles need us to do our part. The Big Island is too unique to not protect it in anyway we can. Genxor, this issue should not be low on your list of priorities unless you do not value the sight of the Milky Way. I think I heard the other day that only 5% of Americans have ever seen the Milky Way.
Edited by - rbonplaza on 09/24/2007 17:49:58
Posts: 1,581
Threads: 26
Joined: Jun 2007
An ordinance to abate light pollution.
1. It shall be unlawful for any residential property to have illuminated any single exterior light greater than 75 watts and the combined total of all exterior residential lights shall not exceed 200 watts.
2. The use of walkway, driveway or accent lighting is illegal under this ordinance.
3. All lighting used to illuminate landscape is prohibited.
4. No school, park, or other recreational facility can install or operate any lights for the purpose of illuminating a field after sundown.
5. All commercial establishments shall extinguish all exterior lights including lighting for signs. Single 100 watt bulb is permitted at each entryway.
6. All county street lights shall be extinguished after sundown.
7. It is illegal to use high beams, fog lights or other auxiliary lights while operating a motor vehicle.
8. No lights can be installed or operated for parking lot purposes.
9. The use of battery powered lights can only be used for 2 seconds during each continuous 5 minute period after sundown.
10. No battery powered flash or spot lights can be shown above the horizon after sundown except for authorized emergency personnel.
11. It is illegal to use any light to illuminate any pool, spa, or water feature.
12. The use of exterior holiday lighting is prohibited.
13. It shall be illegal to turn on the interior light in any motor vehicle after sundown if such light is visible outside the vehicle.
14. Operators of motor vehicles must extinguish their lights including parking lights if idle for more than 5 minutes.
15. The use of illuminated advertising signs on taxi-cabs, delivery vehicles or other motorized apparatus.
16. No event shall be held after sundown if illumination is to exceed a combined 200 watts from all participants.
17. No marquee lights are permitted after sundown.
18. No restaurant, bar, or other establishment with outdoor seating shall install or operate any lighting that exceeds the guidelines set forth in article 15.
19. All streetlights shall be retrofitted within 120 days of passage of this ordinance to eliminate the orange or yellow light. Only green and Red shall be allowed under this ordinance.
No cell phone, PDA, Laptop computer, television, or other portable electronic device shall be used outdoors if any illumination is visible.
Posts: 2,655
Threads: 42
Joined: Sep 2006
Somebody was bored.
Pua`a
S. FL
Big Islander to be.
Pua`a
S. FL
Big Islander to be.
Posts: 255
Threads: 7
Joined: May 2006
quote:
Beau, I also can't believe in the lack of awareness of the need to reduce the night time light in Hawaii. This issue has been around for years. Be assured that as your new neighbors, we will do our best to reduce our impact.
Heya Ed and Ralph!
Im not here to tell anyone what to do or how to live :-) Live and Let Live!!
Its just been an issue here for years and years.. Hard to understand how its a joke to some in the community now. I think they dont remember the days when we had nothing.
With the demise of the sugar and pineapple industries in the 1990's, Hawaii has been working to diversify its economy with a focus on industries such as science and technology. Our Astronomy Program is the best thing we have going... Best in the entire world. Would be a real shame if we lose it because our newly built community dosent understand how important the observatorys are to our economy.
Cheers,
Beau S.
Posts: 735
Threads: 20
Joined: May 2006
Astronomy is not just important to our economy. The science is worth more to mankind than the entire "newly built community" that exists now or what it may become in the future. A price cannot be put on expanding our knowledge of the universe.
Posts: 1,595
Threads: 111
Joined: May 2007
Light pollution is just that; Pollution. It's damaging to the natural environment and a threat to our Island. It's typically arrogant of humans to place convenience, profit, and lifestyle over a healthy environment. It's more shameful to do so when existing technology makes this unneccesary.
Posts: 166
Threads: 25
Joined: Sep 2006
Bob wasn't bored, simply explaining how a Light Pollution ordinance would work.
Sounds pretty interesting. Doesn't it ?
Pineapple and sugar left for varied reasons. Regarding the latter, it was due to workers refusing changes in their compensation. Big Island I am sure you are aware of that.
We will have to disagree Ron & Ed, it is very low on a list of priorites for Puna. Past poor planning, roads, 2nd road out, drug problems, education system and the need for new schools, economic development bringing needed jobs to Puna, and the huge lack of infrastructure. The list goes on ...
Calmer heads will always prevail.
Posts: 181
Threads: 44
Joined: Aug 2007
I went back through some of the postings in the last 60 days and it seems as if there have been several similar postings that would coincide with this posting. After reading some people's comments, I thought of a way that might enlighten awareness, test your astronomy skills and bring the community together! One comment in the posts that I was reading, someone mentioned a "Sky Party" hosted by the Mauna Kea visitor center.
So here's my proposal: We should have a Puna Sky Party. People could come out, meet people they haven't met before. Observe the night sky for all of it's beauty and then see how many stars, constellations and what have you that you can name. The other point to this is to rise the awareness of Light Pollution.
Ok, I'm an open target!
Mahalo
Ed
"From knowledge comes understanding"
"From knowledge comes understanding"
|
