Light Pollution: A Hopeful Sign

On our way home for our public star parties, I've been quite pleased to see a nice trend among businesses. Quite a few are now turning all their lights off after closing, including those in the parking lot. A new Sunoco station near here - which is really too brightly lit when open - is almost completely dark after closing, as is the Dunkin Donuts next door.

I'm sure it's saving them energy, but it probably also increases security. Tough to do much if you can't see, and flashlights attract attention.

Clear skies, Alan

Absolutely Alan, the very point I try to explain to people. That beacon in the dark sticks out like a sore thumb.

Alan French said:

On our way home for our public star parties, I've been quite pleased to see a nice trend among businesses. Quite a few are now turning all their lights off after closing, including those in the parking lot. A new Sunoco station near here - which is really too brightly lit when open - is almost completely dark after closing, as is the Dunkin Donuts next door.

I'm sure it's saving them energy, but it probably also increases security. Tough to do much if you can't see, and flashlights attract attention.

Clear skies, Alan

I saw this the other day at a Home Depot. Was surprised and first thought there was a local power outage.
Mike

Alan:

I am hopeful that individuals, the government at all levels and business at all levels will come to realize the cost of lighting up the night sky. If light pollution is ever to be reduced, it will be due to the economic benefits rather than because of any interest in reducing light pollution.

At some point, street lighting will probably switch to LEDs, I wonder if the directionality of LEDs would be helpful in reducing LP.

Jon

I think it has more to do with the sad state of the U.S. economy and constantly increasing rates for electricity. A 400W luminaire costs about five cents per hour to operate, and potentially much more if it causes the business to jump up to the higher tiers in rate plans that penalize high-demand users.