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Moon Shadow
member
Reged: 02/05/07
Posts: 65
Loc: Phoenix,AZ
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Unfortunately for the past few years I've been in a losing battle with my management's lighting policy. About 55 unshielded mercury vapor lamps have been installed in my subdivision. Against our county's lighting code I might add. I have not been given any help from code enforcement and have talked to the local "Dark Sky". Anyway the manager laughs and says that the only ones complaining, are the stupid astronomers. So I starting searching for health problems related to lighting. Some of my findings: Outdoor MV lamps are encased in two layers of glass. If the outer glass is cracked it emits (for quite a distance) harmful radiation. Excessive outdoor lighting affects migratory and mating cycles of nocturnal animals and increases crime(?). Even small amounts of artificial light (including clocks with lighted dials) during sleep destroys Melatonion production. And this is where it gets important. We need only a very small amount of melatonin but it is vital to brain function. It not only is tied to weight regulation but to prevent depression/bi-polar disease and memory loss. It helps regulate our body's cycles. Newest studies show that it may even be the key to cancer prevention. Already there is shown a direct link between melatonin loss and breast cancer.
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Lunt L60THa B1200 Solar
Astro-Tech 80ED
Celestron Nexstar 8se
Helix Grab n Go mount
Edited by csa/montana (08/10/08 03:39 PM)
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RussL
Music Maker
Reged: 03/18/08
Posts: 1575
Loc: Cayce, SC
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Moonshadow, thank you for that report. These things are important, healthwise. The more we say it the more the word gets around. Even if there were no astronomers, the health implications are warrant enough to change the way we light the dark. And, as you said, it is not only OUR biology that needs darkness, but all creatures who we share this world with. 
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--Russell
"Akita mani yo." Observe everything as you walk. (--Lakota)
Celestron Celestar 8 Standard SCT, f10
Celestron 80mm Wide View ref., f5
Criterion RV-6 Dynascope, Newt., f8, (c. 1962)
Sears Discoverer 60mm ref., f7, (c. 1973)
Celestron Ultima DX 10x50, 6.5 TFOV
Tasco 7x35 wide
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RussL
Music Maker
Reged: 03/18/08
Posts: 1575
Loc: Cayce, SC
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Quote:
Another thought, Are children nowadays getting used to lots of light. Not evolutionarily (no wars please) but as a comfort thing. My friends children sleep with their lights on in their rooms! Is this becoming more of the norm?
Franklink, I haven't heard of many kids sleeping with their light on unless they just watched a scary movie or are afraid temporarily. However, I believe kids in general are getting more light just like the rest of us to the point that it could have an evolutionary effect over time. I also believe that kids nowadays will not remember dark nights in the same way as us older folks remember dark nights. Fewer and fewer kids ever see dark nights, a heritage that we all should have.
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--Russell
"Akita mani yo." Observe everything as you walk. (--Lakota)
Celestron Celestar 8 Standard SCT, f10
Celestron 80mm Wide View ref., f5
Criterion RV-6 Dynascope, Newt., f8, (c. 1962)
Sears Discoverer 60mm ref., f7, (c. 1973)
Celestron Ultima DX 10x50, 6.5 TFOV
Tasco 7x35 wide
Several mediocre eyepieces
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jmcdonald
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 06/01/05
Posts: 1503
Loc: Tucson, AZ
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A study found a link between nightlights and childhood leukemia. I avoid using night lights in the kids room. If they're scared they can always come see mom and dad.
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Jerel
Discovery 12.5" modified truss DOB
Orion 100mm f/6 achromat
Garret 15x70 LW Binoculars
22-T4,13-T6
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