Product Description

Light-pollution is the modern scourge of optical astronomy. More and more observing sites are being lost as the glare of city lighting blots out the night sky. Professional astronomical observatories are located far from cities, but amateur astronomers often do not have this luxury.This book considers the two available strategies open to astronomers - get rid of the light pollution by lobbying Authorities and Standards Organisations, and minimise its effects by using the correct instrumentation. The book contains an extensive detailed catalogue of deep-sky and other objects that - despite what one might believe - can be seen from variously light-polluted sites, for practical observers.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1030842 in Books
• Published on: 2001-11-20
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 255 pages

Review
From the reviews of the first edition:

"I learnt a lot from this book about light pollution and the problems it causes for astronomers around the world. a ] A set of rules set by the Tucson/Pima County Lighting Code I found to be very interesting reading indeed, and if we could get some of them implemented over here our skies would be a lot darker. Leta (TM)s look forward to the day when we get what we wish for." (Mick Murphy, Astronomy & Space, April 2003)

"Light pollution (LP) is the bane of all astronomers, and it has been increasing steadily for decades. a ] Well, does the book work? Yes, it most certainly does if you want to know about LP and how to fight it. a ] There are plenty of good photographs, many in colour. a ] All in all, I thoroughly recommend the book to anyone with a passing interest in LP. It has everything you need to know on the subject, as well as who to contact and where." (Bob Dryden, The Deep Sky Observer Magazine, Issue 128, 2002)

"Bob Mizon a ] is a champion for the cause of reducing light pollution through better controlled lighting. This book fits well into the Practical Astronomy Series with its practical approach to the problems of light pollution. a ] Bob covers all the types of light pollution and offers remedies and directions for action. a ] The book should be essential reading throughout the lighting industry, government departments, council planning departments and for all architects. a ] A unique and valuable achievement, superbly done." (Chris Baddiley, Astronomy Now, August, 2002)

"The Campaign for Dark Skies (CfDS) a ] has put the concept and the term a ~light pollutiona (TM) onto the political agenda of the UK. a ] The bookscopes the problem for amateur astronomers, identifies good and bad lighting practice, and points towards solutions. a ] I hope that Bob Mizon and his colleagues a ] keep the campaign up. I wish them well in their aim a" the strategy and tactics well covered in this book a" to reduce over-bright outdoor lights and keep the light beams pointing down." (Paul Murdin, The Observatory, Vol. 122 (1169), 2002)

"Bob Mizon has written a brave, thought provoking book about a depressive subject. Mizon is the enthusiastic astronomer, optimist and friendly communicator spearheading the Campaign for Dark Skies in the UK. The book has three main chapters a ] broken into various sub-sections for easy reading. a ] There is also a useful glossary and index. a ] This book points readers in the right direction. a ] I recommend it." (Cliff Meredith, Popular Astronomy, Vol. 49 (2), 2002)

Astronomy Now, August 2002
"A unique and valuable achievement, superbly done."

From the Inside Flap
Gradually, the stars are going out.

Light pollution is a major threat to astronomy across the entire developed world. The night sky that most of us can see bears little relationship to the spectacular vistas that our ancestors have gazed at for tens of thousands of years. It is ironic that as our understanding of the universe has improved, our ability to see it has been dramatically reduced by the skyglow of our civilisation.

What can we do?

In Light Pollution - Responses and Remedies, Bob Mizon advocates a dual strategy. Our initial response, whether or not we use special filters and equipment, should be to use our observing skills to find the many fascinating objects still visible, even in light-polluted skies. This book shows some of what is possible.

We must also look at remedies. More and more local authorities and lighting companies are thinking about the environmental effects of light pollution (and all that wasted light costs money!) and there is information here that will enable every astronomer to become - even in a small way - an anti-light-pollution activist.

The light from distant galaxies has taken millions of years to reach us - what a tragedy to to lose it in the last millisecond of its journey!

Customer Reviews

Timely, well-written book on an important subject
Light pollution is -- or should be -- a concern of astronomers throughout the inhabited regions of the Earth. This is, to my best knowledge, the first book to directly address those concerns in detail.

The book is in three sections plus copious appendices and an index. The first section discusses the physiology of human vision, defines the nature and consequences (not only astronomical) of light pollution, and considers changes in attitude to and technology of lighting. This serves as an excellent introduction to the problem.

The second section shows how astronomy may be continued, despite light pollution, by technological 'fixes', such as light pollution reduction (LPR) filters and CCD imaging. One hundred objects suitable for visual observation from light-polluted skies are suggested and described. Techniques of observation in light-polluted skies are also suggested. It is this section of the book that is most likely to be criticised by those concerned that it may imply that, since astronomy in light-
polluted skies is possible, the problem itself is not as great as activists suggest. I would suggest that it is only by showing people what is visible in these skies that an interest in astronomy can be established and maintained, thus leading to (hopefully) a will to address the problem.

In the final section, the book discusses remedies; briefly these are technological (good lighting), legal (legislation to control poor lighting), and social (educating people as to the problem). The appendices that follow provide good material (including the debunking of common lighting myths) for anyone who wishes to involve him (or her) self in combating this source of aesthetic degradation.

Obviously, this book will be of great use as a 'handbook' for anyone involved in the activities of the Campaign for Dark Skies (CfDS) or the International Dark-sky Association (IDA), but its appeal is wider than that. It is also useful for those who undertake astronomy under brightly-lit skies, both as a guide to what may be achieved, but also with suggestions as to how such astronomers may help to have their skies improved. There is a slight UK emphasis, but the book has international appeal.

Shining through the lively style of the very well-written text is the author's passion for astronomy in general and his knowledge gained over many years as co-ordinator of the CfDS. The copious photographs, most of which are in colour, serve to enhance the text.

In short, this is a very good book, which is very readable, covering a subject of importance. Recommended!