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When the topic of pollution comes up, most people’s minds go right to trash bags and fossil fuels. Rena Woss, of the Lethbridge Astronomy Society, was recently on hand at the Theatre Gallery in the Lethbridge Public Library to shed some light on a different kind of pollution: Light pollution.
Light pollution is the careless emission of artificial light into areas where it is unneeded or unwanted. Caused by poorly designed outdoor lighting that casts wasteful light into the sky, light pollution ultimately muddles the sights of an otherwise brilliantly lit night sky.
“A lot of the bigger cities like Edmonton and Calgary, and even the very centre of Lethbridge has pretty poor sky conditions,” explains Woss.
“Unless a person who wants to go hang out under the stars is in an area where the skies are pretty dark, they’re going to have a tough time fighting light pollution because of all kinds of light scattered in the atmosphere.”
Woss warns not only is light pollution a challenge for astronomy enthusiasts, but it can also pose as a safety threat for everyone. A common misconception, Woss says, is that people think more light equals more safety when in fact more light casts deeper shadows, which makes it tricky for they eye to catch. Since eyes become more sensitive to light with age, older folks will take much longer to adjust to brightly lit areas like service stations and car lots.
The Lethbridge Astronomy Society has its own concerns for the light pollution here in town, but says city officials have made positive steps in the last few years.
There are about 12,000 streetlights in Lethbridge, most of which are cobra-head and sag-head lights. Recently, about 20 per cent of those lights have been phased out and switched to the more efficient flat-head style lights, which emit minimal glare into the sky.
“Our city could be an example for other cities if we continue good planning so it doesn’t end up like a lot of the mega cities that are just bathed in a sea of light,” says Woss.
“If we’re not careful with our planning, we could end up in this very situation.”
Along with human concerns, Woss says over lighting also throws off animal mating and sleeping patterns, increases their chances for predation and ultimately could ruin certain ecosystems.
The Lethbridge Astronomy Society is located at the river bottom in Popson Park. Last September, the society was granted the designation of an urban star park, meaning only certain lights can be put up in the vicinity. It’s also a part of the 10,000-member International Dark Sky Association, which over 75 different countries are involved.
Woss urges anyone wanting to gaze at the stars to check out the Lethbridge Astronomy Society, as it’s regarded as the best spots around to observe the night sky.
“It’s one of the few places you can actually access where you’re not fighting light pollution. It’s as natural a night sky as you can hope to get in our vicinity.” |
