About the Campaign for Dark-Skies

The British Astronomical Association (BAA) is the UK's largest body representing the interests of all those - astronomers and non-astronomers - who appreciate the beauty of the night sky and value it as a natural resource. The starry sky is, unofficially but indubitably, a site of special scientific interest and an area of outstanding natural beauty: if it can be seen.

The Campaign for Dark Skies (CfDS) was set up by concerned members of the BAA in 1989, to counter the ever-growing tide of skyglow which has tainted the night sky over Britain since the 1950s. Usually the result of poorly aimed streetlights and floodlights emitting light above the horizontal into the sky, skyglow is nowadays increasingly a result of vastly over-powered, poorly mounted household security lights and literally "over-the-top" sports lighting.

CfDS has grown into a network of over 120 volunteer local officers, and several hundred committed supporters, who work to persuade their local councils and organisations of the benefits of well directed lighting, the motto being: the right amount of light, and only where needed.

Why is CfDS is so keen to highlight the light pollution problem?

These pictures show how the night skies have deteriorated over the last 50 years.
Bath1950-2000
image: M. Tabb; click to enlarge

These 2 pictures (1950 & 2000) show exactly the same view of Bath, a small city in the UK's West Country. Through careless lighting, the night sky is now flooded with the orange glow of street- and floodlights.

Sky-glow over UK towns & cities
Skyglow

Light pollution is a world-wide problem.The good news is that the message from CfDS and the IDA is starting to be more widely accepted, and in some cases the trend is going into reverse as administrations and organisations begin to adopt a more environmentally sensitive approach to lighting and the environment.

Should we put all the lights out? Of course not! We need the right amount of light, directed only where needed.
We need light at night for many obvious reasons.

Better lighting saves energy and therefore is environmentally friendly both to the skies, and to the atmosphere through the reduction in power requirements from fossil-fuelled power stations.

Better lighting gives us back something like the dark skies that people enjoyed long ago.

The light from the rest of the Universe takes hundreds, thousands or millions of years to reach our eyes. What a pity to lose it on the last millisecond of its journey!

Aims of the Campaign for Dark Skies

CfDS wants to to see:

  • Greater use of modern fittings which control the light emitted, to minimise sky-glow and light trespass.
  • The right amount of light for the task, not wasteful over-lighting - Sensible wattages (a 40W light will adequately illuminate the average driveway and garden) up to a maximum of 150W;
  • Controls on floodlighting of buildings, sports facilities, etc., with appropriate shielding, baffles and mounting adaptation causing lamps to shine preferentially downwards;
  • Instructions about sensitive mounting, and information about light trespass and other possible adverse effects, in packaging of all exterior lights.

CfDS believes that:

  • Astronomers have the same lighting needs as everyone else;
  • Street lights should NOT be turned off, but well directed to illuminate just the street;
  • Everyone should have the right to illuminate their premises at night if they so wish, as long as it does not intrude into neighbouring properties;
  • Lamps used should comply with Institution of Lighting Engineers' guidelines (revised 1994), with 150W as a maximum value for typical domestic and small-scale commercial premises;
  • In the absence of proper regulation of light, which is as much of a potential pollutant as noise and other impactors, retailers should take the lead in preserving a night-time environment showing a balance between good quality lighting and enjoyment of that night-time environment;
  • The promotion of outdoor lighting should concentrate on aspects of visibility and careful lighting, rather than making debatable claims about crime deterrence and links between brightness and effectiveness;

CfDS points out that:

  • Minimising light pollution saves precious energy resources. The amount of greenhouse gases released into the environment by power stations can be reduced.
  • Well designed light sources emit little or no light above the horizontal. Unshielded lights may, depending on the design, emit well over 50% of their output above the horizontal.
  • Glare from roadside lights, as motorists know too well, is another result of poor design, and is distracting when driving.

As well as raising the issue with councils, surveyors, the lighting community, the media and the public, CfDS has corresponded or met with representatives of the following organisations:

Click to read about CfDS Achievements

The Campaign for Dark Skies believes that the control of light pollution is an idea whose time has come. In an era when the environment, energy considerations and the surge in discoveries about the Universe are matters of everyday discussion, it makes sense to reclaim our heritage above.

The twice-yearly CfDS newsletter is available, price £2.40 for 4 issues, from the Co-ordinator, Bob Mizon

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