Skyglow: the Effect of Poor Lighting

Skyglow is the orange "smog" that hangs over all cities at night. It is caused by wasted light shining upwards, rather than downwards where we need it.

The above image shows the excessive light pollution thrown out by large towns and cities, as seen from a rural location in South West England. The extent of the problem is highlighted by the fact that some conurbations can be detected from over 35km away.

Here the offending lights are behind the raised horizon, but due to poor direction they light up the sky.

Nasty Midlands skyglow that is bright enough to let you read a newspaper at midnight.

You can see the glow of the football floodlights for many miles, even though the photographer is over a hundred feet ABOVE the football ground. Note also the brightly and poorly lit Abbey. If the lights were properly directed, the target would be well lit, without the need to shine the lights into the sky.

Again, from altitude this offending town is spilling light upward, as seen by the reflection from the clouds.

One of the worst light polluters in the South of England, the ferry terminal at Poole can be seen from many miles away due to its poorly directed lighting.

Again over 1/2 mile away and 100 feet or so above the complex, the actual lights themselves are still visible. It makes you wonder whether they actually want to light the ground....

Below is the skyglow visible from Charlton Heath. This rural location is 20 miles away from the towns of Poole & Bournemouth, UK.

(Bob Mizon)

Whilst all these locations show evidence of poor lighting, fortunately not everyone is so careless with their energy!

Many town, country and district councils, as well as some private businesses, have listened to the CfDS argument, and have made changes to their lighting policy which saves them energy (and therefore money), and also reduces the light pollution nuisance for the local population.