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: http://star.arm.ac.uk/annrep/annrep2003/node73.html
Дата изменения: Wed May 19 15:26:37 2004 Дата индексирования: Tue Oct 2 05:05:43 2012 Кодировка: |
Following the Observatory's initiative in 2002, drawing attention locally to the issue of light pollution and the problems it produces both for astronomy and awareness of the night sky, and for saving energy and improving the natural environment, Mark Bailey made a presentation on light pollution, on 7 May 2003, to the Armagh City and District Council Environment, Health and Recreation Committee. This focused specifically on the growing problem of light pollution in the City of Armagh. With the support of Councillors and Officers a motion to minimise light pollution in and around Armagh was adopted by the Committee, and subsequently (on 27 May 2003) by the whole Council. It is believed that Armagh is the first Council on the island of Ireland to have adopted such a motion.
In essence, the policy recommends that all external lights, including streetlights, floodlights, security and perimeter lights should be fit for purpose and minimalistic; and that such lighting should be power-efficient, downward directed and shielded, in order to avoid light pollution and minimize cost, energy waste and other adverse environmental consequences. A short article on the Observatory's success in attracting Council support for the policy on light pollution subsequently appeared in a number of local newspapers. In addition, the Director of Environmental Services, Mr John Briggs, has advised that the Council has issued a directive that on all Council properties the use of up-lighters and other unnecessary forms of exterior illumination should be avoided where possible. Guidance on new commercial and residential constructions from Building Control also encourages developers to opt for more environmentally sensitive lighting wherever possible.
The problem how best to overcome light pollution is of course a long-term issue, involving a balance between the requirements of an Observatory (essentially no external lights) and the health and safety of citizens who seek to enjoy the natural and built environment of the City after dark, and who expect at least a minimum amount of lighting to enable them to do so. Many of these questions were addressed in detail during 2003 by the influential Science and Technology Committee, which published an extensive report on the issue in two volumes (see HC 747-I and HC 747-II, available from here. The subsequent Government response (HC 127) is available from the same web-site. The Science and Technology Committee held a public debate on the subject in Westminster Hall on 12 February 2004, noting that:
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``In its report, the Committee concluded that the majority of professional astronomy now takes place outside of the United Kingdom due to the poor and unpredictable weather conditions of the British Isles, their hemispherical position and to the continuing encroachment of light pollution on British skies. However, astronomy remains a growth subject of academic study, as demonstrated by the increase in the number of students at GCSE, undergraduate and postgraduate level.
The Committee emphasised the importance of the amateur astronomy community in the UK, which provides important observational data to professional astronomers. Amateur astronomical societies, along with professional astronomers based in the UK, are also instrumental in introducing young and future scientists to astronomy and physics through open days at observatories and by bringing mobile planetaria to schools and groups.
The Report criticised the defeatist attitude and inconsistent approach shown by the Government toward light pollution and astronomy in the UK. It found that the response from local authorities to those seeking protection from light nuisance was uneven and usually unhelpful. The Report provided recommendations on how light pollution can be controlled without reducing the levels of light needed for safe illumination of urban and rural environments. In particular, the Committee called for a clear policy on the use of street lighting and for new planning guidance to cover light pollution. The Committee was persuaded that light trespass was both measurable and controllable and recommended that obtrusive light be made a statutory nuisance.''
In summary, the Armagh Observatory has made a good start within Armagh in addressing some of these questions, and will continue to press for improved, energy efficient `right lights' in all situations in or around Armagh where its ability to sustain its work or to carry out astronomical observations from Armagh might be compromised.