18 replies to this topic

[terrypaula]

Does anybody know of a light pollution filter that will help with an LED street lights?  The street light near my home was recently updated  It appears to be a full spectrum white light.  The Astronomic CLS light pollution filter I've been using in my T3i in pretty much useless against it.

[mborland]

Narrowband imaging is the best way to deal with it. If that's not in the cards, try something like an Optolong LeNhance or LeXtreme, or a Radian Triad Ultra.

 

You could also complain to the city about it. If you can convince them that it shines into your bedroom, they may shield it.

 

--Michael

[petert913]

Also, most cities will install light shields if you request them. These shields block the “ sideways” intrusive light. A big help   

[terrypaula]

It's only one street light for gosh sakes it's not not Chicago.  If I had to buy a Radian Triad I'd quit the hobby and find something else to do.  Besides that I don't think  could see anything through one.  Plus spending over $500 for one piece of shiny colored glass is just too much. I was looking for a solution that wouldn't cost $100 or more.  I'm not imaging I'm trying to find some way so overcome a little light pollution for visual/EAA observations.

I live in a small community that wouldn't think of the shields.

 

I can always ask the city to do something about it they just might do that.

 

What's an LeNhance?

[Stevencbradley]

It's only one street light for gosh sakes it's not not Chicago.  If I had to buy a Radian Triad I'd quit the hobby and find something else to do.  Besides that I don't think  could see anything through one.  Plus spending over $500 for one piece of shiny colored glass is just too much. I was looking for a solution that wouldn't cost $100 or more.  I'm not imaging I'm trying to find some way so overcome a little light pollution for visual/EAA observations.
I live in a small community that wouldn't think of the shields.

I can always ask the city to do something about it they just might do that.
 
What's an LeNhance?

Of course, you might consider calling the city's Maintenance dept. to see if they can change the type of light, in lieu of an expensive solution that might not work.

[sg6]

Enquire about some form of shielding being installed.

And do it politely, it helps an awful lot.

 

Could be an idea to be at home if/when they come to install as then you can possibly show/explain the situation better. If they did agree to some shield all that gets through the system would likely be "No 99 wants a light shield installed." Nothing more, and you probably would like a big light shield and maybe even angled or something.

 

However these days get used to the idea of LED lights appearing. They come with living in a town.

 

Doubt they will change the actual lamp, there are however lower color temperature LED lights, that are actually fairly pleasant.

 

Has the one you now have come with a timer? And could/would they sort of switch it off at say 11:00PM. Likely not, but enquire.

 

The only real "help" is too late. Get along to the town meetings and make a point before concrete decisions are made.

[GeorgeLiv]

The street light near my home was recently updated  It appears to be a full spectrum white light.

What was it before? Did it cause glare or trespass before? Was it maintained? When was the last time its bulb was changed before it was updated to LED? Was the LED head installed on the same lamp-post?

[ftur62]

Check out the IDAS D2 Light Pollution Suppression Filter   ( I used it when it first came out with decent results.

[ironhelix]

I have a similar issue. I'm able to block it some with a 6'x10' tarp, which reduces its impact on my night vision. Most of the street lighting in my area is LED now, and the IDAS D2 filter I have doesn't help as much as I hoped it would. A Bortle 6 sky is frustrating.

Edited by ironhelix, 06 March 2021 - 12:31 PM.

[radiofm74]

From what I've read, LEDs have much wider emission lights than the older street lighting and LPR filters or similar are in general not effective against them.

 

Your problem is one streetlamp – it would seem that the solution is to ask for more/better shielding or otherwise trying to shield yourself from direct interference (hood, screens…). 

[RLK1]

Noted at Pine Mountain Club which is at the base of Mt Pinos, a popular observing site in SoCal: "* Light dimming sheets will be installed under the lenses of the exterior clubhouse lights to soften the brightness of the new LED lights. The dimming sheets are on order and will installed upon delivery." 

https://pinemountain...to-minute-alert

So, there's evidently some sort of screening material that can be added to an existing LED light to attenuate it.

[GeorgeLiv]

Horrible terminology used in the link provided. I've worked in the lighting industry (more like infiltrated) for a little bit, but have never come across "dimming sheets". Is this supposed to be a curtain of some sort under the lights?

"* Light dimming sheets will be installed under the lenses of the exterior clubhouse lights to soften the brightness of the new LED lights. The dimming sheets are on order and will installed upon delivery."

[RLK1]

Horrible terminology used in the link provided. I've worked in the lighting industry (more like infiltrated) for a little bit, but have never come across "dimming sheets". Is this supposed to be a curtain of some sort under the lights?

"* Light dimming sheets will be installed under the lenses of the exterior clubhouse lights to soften the brightness of the new LED lights. The dimming sheets are on order and will installed upon delivery."

A products known as "Lightdims" for indoor/outdoor LED lighting is readily available on Amazon and at other vendors. What difference does it make that it's called "dimming sheets" as long as it does the trick? You can call it a cloaking device for all I care as long as it attenuates a needlessly ultrabright outside lighting fixture, be it public or private. Do we have to nitpick the terminology, too?

[osbourne one-nil]

Let's all stick to the spirit of the thread - to find a solution, not to over analyse Amazon terminology for which none of us are responsible!

[GeorgeLiv]

The lighting products produced today or in the past have been designed by electrical engineers in R&D departments of lighting companies. The mass-light emitting devices thyemselves (i.e.; sodium & metal-halide lamps, LED or induction lighting devices) have been "invented" by scientists.

Products installed outdoors throughout history have been installed by ordinary and sometimes totally illiterate persons. These are (or have been) hired workers, a small team of installers for a lighting contractor, a simple business owner or an eager homeowner. If all these people have no guidance for the lighting products they have access to, the potential for excess lighting, poor aim, control, spill and trespass will always be high.

 

This is the case with dimmable LED systems. If you're not following a makers instructions or have guidance as to how these products should be installed, with or without peripheral devices, then it's the same-old fixed dusk-to-dawn lighting.

[RLK1]

The lighting products produced today or in the past have been designed by electrical engineers in R&D departments of lighting companies. The mass-light emitting devices thyemselves (i.e.; sodium & metal-halide lamps, LED or induction lighting devices) have been "invented" by scientists.

Products installed outdoors throughout history have been installed by ordinary and sometimes totally illiterate persons. These are (or have been) hired workers, a small team of installers for a lighting contractor, a simple business owner or an eager homeowner. If all these people have no guidance for the lighting products they have access to, the potential for excess lighting, poor aim, control, spill and trespass will always be high.

 

This is the case with dimmable LED systems. If you're not following a makers instructions or have guidance as to how these products should be installed, with or without peripheral devices, then it's the same-old fixed dusk-to-dawn lighting.

So, from someone like yourself who lists your moniker as "Your Light Pollution Info", can you actually offer a solution to the OPs problem instead of criticizing others for doing it?

Let's assume that the people who install dimming sheets as they're referred to in another post aren't illiterate and know what they're doing. Although you may not like the term, surely somebody in the know like yourself can offer alternate recommendation for something different. If you can't then simply say so.

 My solutions for the OP:

1. Call the public works department and ask for shielding of the offending light. Presumably, after knowing the location of the OP, the public works department can fit the shield so it works as it should. 

2. If the public works department doesn't have a shield, send them the link noted post #11and ask them to install the same or equivalent material. It doesn't hurt to ask.

3. If the public works department won't take action, consider an inexpensive filter first. My recommendation, which has been described on various CN forums, can work both visually and photographically. That latter is a Svbony UHC filter and the 1.25" version cost less than thirty bucks. Here's an image taken by a beginner on CN today with the aforementioned filter: https://www.cloudyni...sonian-synscan/

4. Consider installing a tent or shroud around your equipment.

5. If observing visually, use an observer's hood or a "hoodie" to reduce the ambient light. 

I use suggestions 3-5 with good effect.

[GeorgeLiv]

So, from someone like yourself who lists your moniker as "Your Light Pollution Info", can you actually offer a solution to the OPs problem instead of criticizing others for doing it?

Criticizing? My apologies in that I made you feel that way. Try googling my "moniker" and see what pops up. Under CN rules I'm not allowed to openly link my site in forum threads. I also doubt this reply will last more than a few minutes.

[BFaucett]

Criticizing? My apologies in that I made you feel that way. Try googling my "moniker" and see what pops up. Under CN rules I'm not allowed to openly link my site in forum threads. I also doubt this reply will last more than a few minutes.

 

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[MikiSJ]

If possible, try to determine the lighting standard installed and see if there are light shields available for the particular light standard installed in you neighborhood. If there is a shield available, offer to purchase the shield and ask the lighting authority to install the shield.

 

Also, be aware that the ownership of some lighting standards are owned by the electricity supplier and you may also need their permission to install light shields. Where I live (San Jose, CA) the City has committed itself to a contract with PG&E (?) to lease the lighting standards in a way to reduce upfront installation cost while reducing the cost to the City.