Recently I noticed that the busy intersection just West of our home looked different somehow. Upon closer inspection, I realized that the large lights on all four corners of the intersection had been replaced. Instead of the traditional yellow blaring orbs they are sleek new lights, slim in design and with white light (led?) that is directed by a hood to go straight down where it is needed.
This intersection crosses a very busy 6 lane road, and a moderately busy 2 lane road. The majority of street lights on the 6 lane road have been converted as well, but on the 2 lane road, they have not. This creates an amazing first hand view of the significant difference in the design and effect of the two different styles, side by side essentially.
The old style lights are extremely bright and harsh to look at, even from a distance. The new lights are much more subtle, yet the ground is definitely saturated with light directly below the fixtures.
I wish the city would replace all the lights in our city with these new style fixtures. We have two of the old style ones adjacent from our house, and the rooms are flooded by the sickly colored, constant light. I HATE it. And you can forget about seeing anything more subtle than the constellation of Orion.
Sometimes I think about all the children whose parent's aren't "out-doorsy" and may never see the Milky Way because of it. You can not see it at all from within the city.
Last fall we camped out on the Great Salt Lake, on Antelope Island. I was saddened to see the great glowing orbs across the Eastern horizon indicating the tremendous light pollution issuing from both Salt Lake City as well as another to the North, Bountiful, Layton, Ogden. There was no chance of seeing any subtle astronomical features.
Perhaps the worst part is, not many people seem to notice or care. Where will it stop?
I came across this site today:
http://www.darksky.org/mc/page.do?sitePageId=118976&orgId=idsa
Awareness, care and implementation of changes are necessary to preserve the delicate beauty of night.
