Northern Lights vs. Neighborhood Lights

The northern lights descended upon Park City Sunday night (11/7/04). In a display as old as time the lights shimmered above the northern horizon for several hours before clouds put and end to the show. 

Park City is certainly not the first place that comes to mind when you think of the northern lights. Places to the far north, like Alaska easily jump to the head of that list. But rare as it might be, the lights shone on Sunday. So to did another kind of light. The lights from residential developments like those pictured here in Jeremy Ranch.

While Wasatch Back residents were enjoying our special northern treat, Wasatch Front residents were stymied in their efforts to do the same. Why? Errant light emanating from so many residential and commercial buildings have left the night sky awash in the glow of manmade lights.

If we're not careful, the same will happen to us. In just a few years of rapid growth, we've managed to hide a large chunk of the night sky. Will the next few years continue that trend? If so, views like the accompanying shot of aurora borealis may become a thing of the past. Our children will only know about such beauty from history books and television. This would be tragic to say the least. It certainly doesn't have to turn out that way. With just a little effort by all of us, we can protect what we currently have... and roll back that which we'd lost... returning the night sky to its former glorious state. 

Are you part of the problem? Here are a few simple checks you can make to find out.

• Are your lights left on all night long?
• Can you see the light bulbs through the top or the sides of the fixtures?
• Stand in your yard and have someone inside the house turn the lights on and off. Are your lights shining on your neighbors homes?

If you answered yes to any of these... you are contributing to the problem of light pollution in our beautiful mountain environment. 
Here are a few simple suggestions that will allow you to be part of the solution... instead of the problem. 

• Use only full cutoff fixtures. These direct light to the ground where its needed... and prevent it from going anywhere else.
• Reduce the wattage of bulbs used in your fixtures. The human eye is remarkable adapted to the night... blinding it with bright, glaring lights can actually reduce visibility.
• Turn off lights when you're out of the area. I know I probably sound like your father... perhaps he was on to something ;-)
• Replace automatic timers with motion sensors. This will give you light when and where you need it only... and.. you'll save considerably on your utility bills in the process.

Checkout the Light Pollution Section of the Utah Skies website at www.UtahSkies.org for more information on the harmful effects of improper lighting or for ideas on how to improve your lighting. Please contact us with any questions you may have.

Want more information?

Checkout Residential Lights - Out of Control?  A Utah Skies editorial on the state of today's residential lighting