Light Pollution is a world-wide problem involving wastage of literally billions of dollars of energy a year into space, while gradually removing mankind's view of the stars - with its consequent cultural ramifications. Astronomy is the "canary in the mine" in being particularly affected by even quite low levels of light pollution. The problem is truly international as entire (industrialized) countries are losing their ability to see the natural night sky, while rich and poor alike increase their wastage of energy, shining light uselessly upward {82MB, very slow download}.
This international, environmental dimension, along with an obvious threat to astronomy, means that the International Astronomical Union has an opportunity and a duty to play an active role. Commission 50 has created this Working Group to intensify and further the Commission's efforts in this area through an international program to control light pollution - and to support and co-ordinate efforts with other related organizations around the world. An excellent summary of our work to date was given by Toni Feder in the June 2005 issue of "Physics Today".
This Working Group is initially focussing attention on a pragmatic program of control of light pollution in the most sensitive dark-sky areas where the largest investments have been made recently in ground-based optical and infrared astronomy and where substantial large-scale activity is expected over the new few decades. This includes seeking implementation of appropriate legislation, regulations, city ordinances and similar control mechanisms at local, regional, national and international levels. Our IAUWG is working closely with the USA-based International Dark Sky Association ( IDA), the Spanish OTPC and the Chilean OPCC, which between them now provide excellent outreach programs and well-maintained websites in the languages of the communities around Mauna Kea, La Palma and Northern Chile (e.g. OPCC powerpoint, in Spanish, 18MB, slow download; see also presentation "Astronomia en Chile", 11MB, in Spanish).
The program is using lessons learned through observations, modeling and action by astronomers, lighting engineers and concerned citizens, including those in more heavily populated areas of the world. Such lessons are being propagated through a variety of activities including:
Stimulating increasing publication of materials on the Web and in relevant books and journals.
Working with internationally-relevant education networks, such as
those being
developed
between Greece,
Canada,
the United Kingdom, and between groups in the United States (e.g. click
here , here,
and here), Europe, Chile
and elsewhere.
Maintaining and developing close ties with the knowledge and resources of the lighting engineering community, through organizations such as the Commission Internationale de L'Eclairage (CIE see, especially CIE divs. 4 & 5) and the Illumination Engineering Society of North America IESNA as well as with lighting manufacturers of certified, quality lighting listed in directories such as the IDA's Fixture Seal of Approval program.
Seeking implementation of appropriate legislation, regulations, lighting codes, city ordinances and similar controls at local, regional, national and international levels and increasing multidisciplinary contacts.
Last revised: 23rd June, 2006.