Some LED streetlights across the country are turning purple as they age. If this is happening near you, contact your local authority to replace. Blue and purple light is a form of light pollution that is detrimental to the ecosystem and human health.
Category: Technology
A Single Satellite Could Outshine All the Stars and Planets
A single satellite launched on Sept 9, 2022, could at times outshine all the stars and planets in the night sky, according to New Scientist and other sources.
New studies on pedestrian visibility
Clanton and Associates announces new studies of pedestrian visibility in roadways as a function of color temperature, LED vs HPS, and environmental conditions.
Visibility of satellite constellations
A new article in the Astronomical Journal shows that observers at 40 – 50 deg N/S latitude are impacted the most by satellite constellations, especially near the summer solstice. Locations of the satellite constellations can be tracked on a free iPad/iPhone app.
How LED billboard companies operate
Baltimore Brew reveals how LED billboard advertising was maneuvered into place in Baltimore and Chicago, for a pittance in revenue. Similar dynamics have been at play in Detroit.
SpaceX constellations to orbit at lower altitude
In response to concerns from astronomers, the FCC has approved a request from SpaceX to lower the altitude of its planned satellite constellations, despite vigorous opposition from competitors. This will reduce the brightness and visibility of the satellites from ground-based observatories. (See Sec III.E.4, p. 47)
March 4 talk on Satellite Constellations
UM Prof. Pat Seitzer will present virtually on “New Constellations of Bright Satellites and the Night Sky” at the Sierra Club SE Michigan Group, Thurs March 4 at 7:00 pm.
https://www.sierraclub.org/michigan/southeast-michigan/monthly-program-everyone-welcome
Amsterdam Cracks Down on Garish Christmas Lights
Amsterdam is considering major regulations on holiday lights, according to Bloomberg City Lab.
Holiday lights frazzle neighbors
One example of holiday lights causing issues in a neighborhood.
UN Conference presentations on-line
The UN conference, “Dark and Quiet Skies for Science and Society” was held on-line Oct 5-9, 2020. All presentations are posted in both video and pdf format.