Quote:

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Well, I was going to come here and complain a bit...

..."if" these people who insist on what seems to me to be "light trespass" with no concern of their neighbor, NEED to understand, in some way, that what they are doing IS destructive, intrusive, and objectionable by a growing minority. I understand that we all have the right to light up our property any way we see fit, but where does that cross the line? ...and how does one in the face of complete ignorance and/or blatant disregard, go about turning the tide, without making these individuals understand that excessive light is so "bad" on many levels, (light pollution, utility costs, waste of resources) without putting a negative spin on the situation?

...post edited for content...

Charles

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Hi Charles,

I understand your frustration with the situation, believe me, you have a sympathetic audience here. The key, if your particular situation is entirely unacceptable, is to take action to get it corrected. A potential list of tactics to use in a residential type situation might be : (neighbors)

1) strike up a friendly conversation and work the lights into the conversation. Don't mention astronomy at first if you don't feel comfortable doing so. Concentrate on how it disturbs your sleep and privacy by entering your windows. Most neighbors will respond to a polite verbal request made during the course of an otherwise friendly conversation. That might solve the issue of a single neighbor and his/her offending light.

2) If the neighbor is hostile to your suggestions, then closely examine your side of the story and look for "selling points" to use during step 3. Selling points are anything you can use to legally demand action - lights entering your bedroom or house windows, glare from them entering your eyes as you pull up into your driveway, etc.

3) Contact the city/county and file a complaint against the neighbor with the blinding light. This will be either with the zoning board, utility department or perhaps the police/sheriff. State your case, stick to your guns, and demand positive resolution.

4) If #3 doesn't work, then settle in for a long civil battle. Educate yourself, rally your resources, and approach the local legislative body and demand dark-sky friendly laws/regulations. Change the system.

5) While waiting for #4 to work out, invest in some light blocking blinds, an observatory building, an observing hood, and possibly access/ownership to a piece of property outside of town to use as an observing site. Network with others locally and find a "dark site" and use it - a few good nights under some truly dark skies is good medicine for the light pollution blues.

6) stay positive and be vocal. Discuss the issue with strangers and educate people. Be polite and be firm.

Regards and clear dark skies,

MikeG

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Michael Gilmer - Member of the Meteoritical Society & Collector of Falling Stars.



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