Light pollution ordinance  (by: Bob Guzauskas  -   7/12/2009)

On June 19 the New York Academy of Science held a day long conference, "Circadian Disruption and Cancer". I was there and heard Mds, PhDs, researchers from around the world, reach the same conclusion: "Circadian disruption increases the incidence of breast and colon cancer and possibly prostate cancer." And since these cancers kill some we must conclude that circadian disruption is a lethal pollution. So darken your night or possibly die from cancer. Bob Guzauskas, DDS Member, NYAS since 1968

Light Polution  (by: George De Barros  -   7/11/2009)

I praise Mr.Christopher Tuffley for writing this excellent article. I'm a resident of Venus Florida, and also an amateur astronomer. Venus, is one of the few sites in Florida that I still can look at our Milky Way galaxy from horizon to horizon. But, lately, we're losing this amazing view everyday.. Light polution,is slowly intruding our area, and soon, I'll not be able to look at my dark skies again. I just hope that Highlands County, finally will understand that this Light ordinance will pave a way to the future, and we'll be leading Florida into this giant fight against light polution.

light pollution  (by: Bill Chazotte  -   7/11/2009)

I would like to compliment and say thanks to Mr. Christopher Tuffley for his research and timely article on the spreading problem of light pollution. Unless we end this thoughtless practice of carelessly lighting up the night for no good reason, our current generation and those that follow will be denied the beauty, enjoyment and knowledge gained by a natural view of the night sky full of stars. As an amateur astronomer who regularly offers telescope views of the sky to the public, I know that it is fair to say that due to our artificially brightly-lit night skies, people in this modern, technically-advanced age seem to know less about the stars than "ancient" people in the past when the sky was dark. Hopefully, we can learn to use our night lights more sparingly, efficiently and economically, thus restoring the wonder and perspective of the universe. Mr Tuffley's article is a step in the right direction.

The Creeping Web of Lights  (by: Terry Redding  -   7/11/2009)

As a kid I use to enjoy being out under the stars with a pair of binoculars looking at all the wonders the night sky could provide. Indeed, when Sputnik was launched many of us became involved in reporting it passage overhead. However, today the incessant increase in night-lights would make a similar activity impossible in many places. Like many of my fellow amateur astronomers I am driven from bright lights to those places known for their dark skies. Increasingly, maintaining dark skies takes a conscious effort. Individually we are being asked to conserve energy and use appropriate light bubs. We are educated to turn the light off when not in use. As cities we must do the same. When not in use, we should turn the lights off. Security and public lights should be on motion detectors and come on only as needed. As we replace and repair lights we need to consciously insure our lights are not pointed up, but only illuminate the areas as needed. Indeed, our traffic lights, when not needed could switch to permit traffic to flow with caution in one direction and function as stoplights in the other. The city when asleep could leave a night light on, with the amount of light and energy used greatly reduced.

Protect the Dark Skies over Venus  (by: Jim Kimball  -   7/10/2009)

I am an amateur astronomer and enjoy astro-photography as a hobby. Dark skies are critical to participating in this hobby. As an officer of the Astronomical Society of the Palm Beaches, our hobby has been put in jeopardy by light pollution. Much of what ASPB does is to share our hobby at public events to allow others to see the wonders of the night sky through our telescopes. Unfortunately, light pollution is limiting or preventing an entire generation of children from seeing and enjoying these night sky wonders. I have been traveling to Venus for 7 years or so to enjoy their dark skies, but unfortunately due to insufficient lighting ordinances, light intrusion is severely impacting the dark skies there. I can only hope that people that can impact and influence change realize the value of maintaining dark skies and take steps to protect this rapidly vanishing resource.

Stars up, lights down!  (by: Greg Simpson  -   7/9/2009)

I commend all those who've responded to the article--some really good ideas and solutions! I'm an amateur astronomer from Pinellas County, the most overpopulated county in the state, and "dark skies" are nowhere to be found here, of course. But, it is encouraging to see the issue of light pollution with all its various deleterious effects finally making its way into the public consciousness. To those like Ms. Dale, above, with a problem neighbor, I say: Don't give up! Keep trying to reason with them, and you probably will find a solution! I convinced a neighbor to install motion sensor lights, like mine, to replace his energy-wasting, light-trespassing, on-all-night yard light. The same goes with the local lighting officials and power company. Insist on a solution from them as well!

location. location, location  (by: Auntie Alias  -   7/8/2009)

Location is everything. And Highlands County is perfectly located for the many amateur astronomers who live in the big cities along both of Florida's coasts. A dark sky makes their telescopes capable of see celestial objects much more clearly! Southern Highlands is only a few hours' drive from many metropolitan areas and has the best astronomy conditions for many hundreds of miles around. I just hope that the people of this county have the good sense to realize this as developement gets going again here!

Lighting Pollution  (by: Gregory Zentz  -   7/8/2009)

I travel a lot for business, and when I look out an airplane window at night, every city I see below me is lit up like a Christmas Tree! I used to think that was beautiful, and it is, but now I begin to think it is hugely wasteful. None of that light is shining on the ground, it's being shot up where only someone in an airplane can see it. That is not only wasteful of energy, but now it seems it hurts our ecosystem as well and maybe even us, too. I think I'll start paying attention to such things tonight by turning off my porch light when I go to bed. Maybe even before I go to bed.

Dark Skys over Venus  (by: Ellen Peterson  -   7/8/2009)

How can we help to make it happen

Light pollution  (by: nancy dale  -   7/8/2009)

Good job...The next step is to not sell these Miami Riot Lights (vapor lights) that spread everywhere and encourage PE and Glades Electric to support the use of "shut off light" that shine directly on the person's property, if they are going to lease lights on private property. I have also been dealing with lights shining directing into my house, and although PE says they will contact the "offender" of a light pole they lease, I purused it and the property owner simploy says "no" they want the light right where it is...thus ...no solution. Hope you will follow-up on this angle.

Let there be dark, Ditto  (by: Jeff Beish  -   7/8/2009)

I have lived in Highlands County for eight years and am an amateur astronomer who has noticed a great increase in light pollution over this time period. I moved here because of the dark sky we used to have and wish people would cut down on lighting. It really is expensive for tax payers to foot the bill.