Light-pollution is the modern scourge of optical astronomy. An increasing number of observing sites are in danger of being rendered useless due to the glare of city lighting blotting out the night sky. Professional astronomical observatories are located far from cities, but amateur astronomers often do not have this luxury. This book considers the two available strategies open to Astronomers. The first involves campaigning against light pollution by lobbying Authorities and Standards Organisations, and the second involves using the correct instrumentation. The book contains an extensive detailed catalogue of deep-sky and other objects that - despite what one might believe - can be seen from variously light-polluted sites, for practical observers.

Inhalt

1 Light Old and New.- 1.1 The Limits of Human Vision.- 1.2 Light Pollution: the Problem Defined.- 1.3 Lights and More Lights.- 1.4 New Lamps for Old.- 2 Piercing the Veil: Techniques and Targets.- 2.1 Techniques.- 2.2 Targets.- 2.3 One Hundred Objects to Look for in Moderately Light-Polluted Skies.- 3 Dark Future?.- 3.1 Light Pollution: Solutions for the Twenty-First Century.- Appendix 1 Information about Organisations Committed to Reducing Light Pollution.- Appendix 4 Extracts from Articles on the Legal Aspect of Light Pollution.- Appendix 5 Some Lighting Myths.- Appendix 6 Advice from IDA and CfDS on Seeking Action on Lighting and the Environment from Local Authorities and Others.- Appendix 7 Governmental Guidelines on Good Lighting Practice: Examples.- Glossary of Terms.