Telescope Reviews: Neighborsgo.com Blog

Here is a recent article I wrote for my blog at www.neighborsgo.com/boatman1

Please feel free to copy anything you want and re-post,

Neighborsgo is the Dallas Morning News local news website. The article was published in the "letters to the editor" editorial section of the newspaper.

Article Follows-- see the pictures on the blog--

WhatsUP!-- Energy- Light Pollution- and your Government

I recently read an article in the Dallas Morning News about new light fixtures being erected at White Rock Lake. A picture of the fixture was included in the article. I WAS AMAZED and DISAPPOINTED when I saw the type of fixture they were installing on very high light poles!

First the fixture was entirely glass, which would direct over 50% of the light either toward the sky or DIRECTLY into your eye. Second the parks department had purchased what appeared to be "special" order old world style globes for which they probably paid a premium. It amazes me that our government (local, state, and federal) continue to be in NON-COMPLIANCE with the recommendations of the IESNA, Illuminating Engineer Society of North America,

Why do they keep installing energy wasting light fixtures when more efficient fully shielded types are readily available and at reasonable cost(usually no more expensive than unshielded type). With over 50% of the light going up and to the sides, this type of fixture wastes a lot of energy. A fully shielded fixture can usually achieve the same GROUND lighting lumens with a minimum 30% reduction in bulb wattage- sometimes as high as 45% reduction in energy use! This is millions of dollars in costs which our taxes must cover every year that the old style UN-shielded fixtures are in operation. Description of new shielded cobra fixture follows:

Flat Lens Cobra--- See PHOTO 3 Above- look at all 3 Pictures so you can recognize the difference between fully shielded and non-shielded light fixtures!
There is no shadow visible above the fixture. The light is "cut-off" to the sides, none of the light goes UP!

It is easy to see the "cutoff" pattern of the projected light on the columns to the left and right of the fixture. They are sharply cut-off to the sides.

The top of the columns and the bottom of the freeway bridge remain dark compared to lower down, again directing the light WHERE it is needed.

Light is directed down on to the pavement below and onto objects that need to be illuminated.

When viewed from a distance the source of the light is not visible (nighttime glare is dramatically reduced). This is a real PLUS for older drivers.

This fixture conserves energy by confining all the light to objects that need to be illuminated- due to its reflective interior, a lower wattage bulb provides the same illumination level as the old unshielded fixture.

This fixture prevents light trespass onto adjacent nearby property. Like your bedroom window at night!

In simple terms you cannot see the bulb DIRECTLY except when you are very close to the light fixture--- AND the glass lens does not project below the surface of the fixture.

We should demand that as the old fixtures need repair and or replacement, that the new fixture be fully shielded and at a reduced wattage. The old style "cobra" head fixtures and "barn" lights should be removed from sale or retrofitted with a reflective shield to prevent light trespass.

Upward pointing residential lighting should also be banned along with upward pointing billboard lighting. Again, all they need to do is follow the recommendations of the IESNA and we would save millions of dollars in energy costs statewide each and every year! --- AM I MISSING SOMETHING HERE!

SO--------Write your local, state, and federal representatives today about this issue, and remember MORE lighting does not equal BETTER lighting.

Joe Lalumia

Rockwall, Texas

"An UNSOLICITED & UNPAID political announcement."

--------------------
LX90 8" LNT, SV Nighthawk & TelePOD, SV 80/9D & M4 mount, ETX 90, Orion XT10i, 20x80 binoculars, SV-BV3s.
"Somewhere down in Texas"- George Strait