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When Apollo 17 launched in 1972, one of the commentators memorably announced: \u201cit\u2019s lighting up the sky!\u201d<\/p>\n
A beautiful turn of phrase, but also something that many astronomers might have heard and muttered in response: \u201cwell\u2026 what isn\u2019t?\u201d<\/p>\n
Would you like to be notified of stargazing events?<\/h5>\n<\/div>\n
Light pollution has been a problem for decades now, yet it\u2019s still one that many amateur astronomers struggle with. Unless you live in a remote region, the chances of seeing much from your own backyard seemingly diminish every year. As civilization grows, our view of the night sky is becoming more and more clouded by light.<\/p>\n
To an extent, there is not much you can do about this, unless you happen to have control of the entire electrical grid. Assuming you don\u2019t, that means the best you can hope for is to do as much as possible to control the situation and make the best of what you have in front of you. Or above you, as the case may be. Here are a few ideas to get you started.<\/p>\n
Move House<\/h2>\nOkay, so it sounds fairly extreme, but it\u2019s worth considering if you\u2019re planning a move anyway. As a general rule, the closer you are to the center of a city, the harder a time you\u2019re going to have being able to see the sky at night.<\/p>\n
So before you\u2019re packing up boxes, it\u2019s worth thinking about how your next move is going to impact your love of astronomy. There are some great tools available that can show you the light pollution of any potential area you\u2019re considering, such as this map from DarkSkyFinder. If you have the option to move away from a city, you\u2019ll greatly increase your chance of some backyard viewing.<\/p>\n
Motion-Sensor Lighting<\/h2>\nIt makes sense from a security point of view to have some kind of lighting overlooking your yard, but not if you\u2019re going to want to try and view the skies. Switching to motion-sensor lighting can give you a better view than you otherwise would have had, and it\u2019s just as effective as a security measure too.<\/p>\n
Petition Your Local Authority<\/h2>\nThe International Dark Sky Association have numerous suggestions for the kind of bulbs and other equipment that could be used to increase the visibility of the sky at night. It might not get far, but you could petition a council to change existing lighting. You\u2019ll have more success if there\u2019s a new development they are installing lighting for, so keep an eye on local news for any announcements. It might not make an immediate difference, but if enough people do this in enough places, the impact could be considerable.<\/p>\n
Get Away<\/h2>\nIf your backyard isn\u2019t an option, then you\u2019re going to need to travel. As a general rule: you need to go high<\/b> or remote<\/b>. Of course, the perfect viewing site would be a mixture of both! Look out for local astronomy clubs which tend to know the terrain and can recommend sites with the best views.<\/p>\nConclusion<\/h2>\nIn the quest to reclaim our view of the stars, battling light pollution remains an ongoing challenge for astronomy enthusiasts. The glow of civilization continues to obscure the night sky, but despite this, there are strategies we can employ. Whether it\u2019s relocating strategically, advocating for better lighting practices, or seeking refuge in remote locations, each step taken amplifies our chances of rediscovering the beauty above. While the sky\u2019s clarity might be veiled, our determination to uncover its wonders remains steadfast.<\/p>\n
It makes sense from a security point of view to have some kind of lighting overlooking your yard, but not if you\u2019re going to want to try and view the skies. Switching to motion-sensor lighting can give you a better view than you otherwise would have had, and it\u2019s just as effective as a security measure too.<\/p>\n
Petition Your Local Authority<\/h2>\nThe International Dark Sky Association have numerous suggestions for the kind of bulbs and other equipment that could be used to increase the visibility of the sky at night. It might not get far, but you could petition a council to change existing lighting. You\u2019ll have more success if there\u2019s a new development they are installing lighting for, so keep an eye on local news for any announcements. It might not make an immediate difference, but if enough people do this in enough places, the impact could be considerable.<\/p>\n
Get Away<\/h2>\nIf your backyard isn\u2019t an option, then you\u2019re going to need to travel. As a general rule: you need to go high<\/b> or remote<\/b>. Of course, the perfect viewing site would be a mixture of both! Look out for local astronomy clubs which tend to know the terrain and can recommend sites with the best views.<\/p>\nConclusion<\/h2>\nIn the quest to reclaim our view of the stars, battling light pollution remains an ongoing challenge for astronomy enthusiasts. The glow of civilization continues to obscure the night sky, but despite this, there are strategies we can employ. Whether it\u2019s relocating strategically, advocating for better lighting practices, or seeking refuge in remote locations, each step taken amplifies our chances of rediscovering the beauty above. While the sky\u2019s clarity might be veiled, our determination to uncover its wonders remains steadfast.<\/p>\n
If your backyard isn\u2019t an option, then you\u2019re going to need to travel. As a general rule: you need to go high<\/b> or remote<\/b>. Of course, the perfect viewing site would be a mixture of both! Look out for local astronomy clubs which tend to know the terrain and can recommend sites with the best views.<\/p>\n In the quest to reclaim our view of the stars, battling light pollution remains an ongoing challenge for astronomy enthusiasts. The glow of civilization continues to obscure the night sky, but despite this, there are strategies we can employ. Whether it\u2019s relocating strategically, advocating for better lighting practices, or seeking refuge in remote locations, each step taken amplifies our chances of rediscovering the beauty above. While the sky\u2019s clarity might be veiled, our determination to uncover its wonders remains steadfast.<\/p>\nConclusion<\/h2>\n