Telescope Reviews: LP Forum Guidelines

Cloudy Nights is, at it's best, a positive and helpful place. We are an inclusive community. We turn away no one who comes seeking to learn more about astronomy, telescopes, or related topics. We only ask that everyone "play nice", limit negative behavior, and leave "hot button" topics unsaid - religion, politics, etc.

Light Pollution, by it's very nature, is a passionate subject for us astronomers. But, as much as we may not like it, not everyone in the world agrees with us or cares about light pollution the way we do. In most places, having bright unshielded flood lights surrounding one's house, shining in all directions, is not illegal. It's not immoral either - not by any broadly accepted definition of the term. It may not be the best choice of lighting, but wasteful unshielded lighting is the standard in many places where we live, work and stargaze. These street lights, porch lights, business signs, billboards and vehicle lights are widespread and these infrastructures are monolithic in nature - they have been around for generations now, long before light pollution was fully understood or even forseen. Changing how the streets, homes, and businesses of America are lighted is a major undertaking and one that will not happen quickly or without drama.

Cloudy Nights wishes to foster a positive environment where the science of light pollution can be discussed. People seeking to learn more about light pollution should be able to come here, peruse the information available, discuss the issue, and walk away with something positive gained - and hopefully a new appreciation (or at least a curiosity) for starry dark skies the way nature originally intended them.

It is not our place, nor our mission, to persuade people to turn off their lights or tell them what to do with their own property or business. We do not want to come across as some activists with a collective chip on our shoulders against people who don't share our love of stargazing.

Light Pollution can be discussed on a number of fronts - one is the science of light pollution. Skyglow, light trespass, light domes, scatter, and transmission lines are all aspects of the issue that the average person outside of this hobby has little awareness of. We can help here. We can share our knowledge of the science by explaining, as best we can, in a constructive manner, the benefits of using properly shielded lights at night. There truly are safety, health, and environmental reasons to use "dark sky friendly" lighting. We can help people to understand this, and to make the right decision ON THEIR OWN about choosing a dark sky friendly attitude/way of life. But we musn't coerce, threaten, be belligerent, heated or forceful. We musn't come across as judgemental or self-righteous. And we should NOT tell people what to do - we should let them make their own decision based on the information at hand. The old proverb comes to mind - you can lead a horse to water, but you cannot make him drink.

When discussing possible dark sky legislation and anti-light pollution laws, then matters can get tricky. The "play nice" rule and the "no politics" rule can become a little nebulous in such cases - forgive the terrible pun.

We want to provide useful information that will help people take civic action on their own, or with local/national networks (like the IDA) - to implement dark-sky friendly regulations in their area. Working with local and state governments, zoning commissions, lighting boards, and utility departments can be an intimidating experience for the uninitiated - we'd like to offer a place for others to share their experiences and resources in this respect. But the politics of the day should always take a back seat to the academic and the science. Stick to the facts and leave the feelings out of it.

And when in doubt whether something is appropriate or not, follow these general guidelines :

1) stay positive - no BB gun stuff, no suggestions of illicit activity, no threatening the neighbors, or anything of that sort. I know most of us don't say that kind of stuff, but since we are laying out boundaries so to speak, let's say it for the record.

2) as much as possible, leave politics out of it. Stick to the facts and the science. Stick to observational experiences and how light pollution effects you. Talk about the positive effects of dark skies and using shielded fixtures.

3) And if you are still unsure of whether something is appropriate or not for this forum, then PM a moderator or administrator and ask. There is no such thing as a dumb question in this regard, we'd love to hear from you.

Clear dark skies!

Post Extras