Comment Re:Light pollution != Energy waste (Score 1) 148
This has been the most vexing issue for those interested in this subject from over a quarter century now - http://tinyurl.com/5vgj7lp. It is something that EVERY amateur astronomer is aware of and can't escape (death, taxes, light pollution).
Amateur astronomy is a subtle art, for both photography and observation of planetary and deep sky objects. Lots of people spend Thousands of dollars and invest countless hours trying to see the slightest smudge of light in distant galaxies or expansive dark nebular lanes through Sagittarius, all of which are increasingly untenable.
If you are like me and grew up beyond the suburbs and still couldn't see the milkyway like you read about it in Burnham's Celestial Guide you know what a waste of energy so much of our night time lighting is. I personally spent three years grinding and polishing a 12.5" mirror and the only time I get to see much more than the planets through it is when I drive to the Outer Banks.
I don't mean to get pedantic in saying this, but it is a serious problem for a lotta folks, a lot of it is waste, and there is no tenable solution except to keep driving further and further away from the sprawl.
Amateur astronomy is a subtle art, for both photography and observation of planetary and deep sky objects. Lots of people spend Thousands of dollars and invest countless hours trying to see the slightest smudge of light in distant galaxies or expansive dark nebular lanes through Sagittarius, all of which are increasingly untenable.
If you are like me and grew up beyond the suburbs and still couldn't see the milkyway like you read about it in Burnham's Celestial Guide you know what a waste of energy so much of our night time lighting is. I personally spent three years grinding and polishing a 12.5" mirror and the only time I get to see much more than the planets through it is when I drive to the Outer Banks.
I don't mean to get pedantic in saying this, but it is a serious problem for a lotta folks, a lot of it is waste, and there is no tenable solution except to keep driving further and further away from the sprawl.
