The Liverpool Astronomical Society Forum

Hi All,
On a recent visit to Liverpool I was quite surprised by how light polluted your city is and also by the apparent lack of any evidence to control it. Two notable examples, amongst many, were the auto trader?? site visable from J5 M57, which I thought was just appalling and also the  large bright "moon rise" glow visable all along the M57 looking towards Aintree race course. How do you guys cope with this? Do you actively campaign to combat this or have you given it up as a lost cause?

Will

 ???

ive not really seen any other city skies in england as for campaigning i'm not sure but i will sign up for some of that

Hello,

We have been involved with the Campaign for Dark Skies, since 1990, however a small group of astronomers is not going to change the 24 hour society that we now live in, over-night, we need the help of local and national goverments to improve the night-sky all people, not just astronomers.

A city like Liverpool could empoly a " light curfew" on it's major bulidings. Whereby it's extenal lighting could be switched off from say 11pm, but only lighting not used for safety or security. We are trying out best, and not just from the protection of the night sky for astronomers angle, we can save energy if we use lighting in a more controlled way, that means all users, both domestic and commerical users.

The issue of lighting controlled area  around the Liverpool AS, Leighton Observatory, at Pex Hill, Cronton, Widnes, is still under discussion, with officers of Knowsley MBC, but Planning issues can take upwards of 10 years to resovled.


The problems with lighting within the M57 locations you indciated, have been reported to local envrionmental officers, and we are awaiting replys.

Gerard Gilligan
Local Officer - Merseyside
Campaign for Dark Skies
0151-794 5356 (24hrs)

Just out of curiosity, I've put a poll up for people to indicate how light pollution affects them.
You can see the results so far by clicking here (http://www.liverpoolas.org/component/option,com_poll/task,results/id,1/).