Light Pollution is Real

A little over a year ago, we moved from the suburbs of Los Angeles, California, to the rural foothills of North Scottsdale, Arizona.

The first night we were here, we thought, "WOW, it is so dark here. And look at all the stars!"

Then in October I participated in the Great World Wide Star Count, thinking we would rank in the "not a problem" numbers.

I was way off - instead we ranked in the "it's a problem" numbers.

Taking a look around, there are the blaring and obvious problems, most of which can be easily solved.

For instance, the house next to me is rarely occupied, being the owners second home. And yet every night their outside lights come on, shining up into the night sky, illuminating the saguaro that is in front of their home. Yes, it's a nice cactus, but I can see it during the day. I'd rather see the stars at night.

Then there are my neighbors on the other side, who light up their house like an airport every night. I asked them why they do this. Their answer: "Because it's dark out there." My response, "why do you care how dark it is, if you are asleep?" I won't continue that conversation here as it would make a better script in the comedy section, than an editorial.

I realize that we need light in order to see and be safe. But there are better ways of lighting our paths than to light up the night sky.

The Great World Wide Star Count happens annually in October. To find out more, go to: http://www.windows.ucar.edu/citizen_science/starcount/index.html

For more information about light pollution and what can be done about it, try these websites:

http://dsc.discovery.com/space/my-take/light-pollution-astronomy-bob-millis.html

http://www.greenearthlighting.com/gel_effective_lighting_007.htm

Start tonight by turning off your outside lights. The darkness won't bother you, really.