How is your area?

Within the last 10 years it has begun to deteriorate, but in the last two years the light pollution has increased at a quicker pace. I fear that this was the last year I will be able to see the milky way from my backyard.

Just before 4 years I could see magnitude 6.5 easily from my frontyard. Neighborhood kids knew how to deal with all the few street lights, it has been always this way. But all of a sudden we have much larger and powerful street lights that shine from every corner, and I can no longer see more than magnitude 2.
I refuge to the nearby hills where I have a grove and a small hut, it's only 15 minutes away in the car. I swear I can see mag 7 - 7.5 from there! But even the hills started to get some polllution because of tourists and the facilities that are being built for them (restaurants etc.).
It's getting worse. I don't know what to do!

Clear and Dark skies!

I live 20 miles East of Philadelphia, Pa. Light pollution rules the night sky from my yard, and it has for years and years... But if I go another 10 to 15 miles east, I have a good, dark northeast to slightly west of south view. Because of the building boom at the Jersey Shore though, that will soon fad away to grey too... That's the night life in New Jersey...

I can defintely say that LP has been degrading the sky in all the years, but I am unable to give a particular number. I started learning the constellations only 4-5 years back and by then I could easily make out the zodiac ones, because the fainter stars were filtered out and the brighter ones stood out. Seeing the Milkyway is an impossibility from my house. To give you a lower limit, I would probably say in the last 5 years.

I would have to say it has been degrading here for some time but there are some places like Death valley and central Nevada that can get so dark you can not see your hands.

I live in the Northern Adirodacks of NY. My presebnt skies offer a 6.3-6.5 mag. view. Talking to long time residents of the area I have learned that the skies are not what they used to be.Still I recognize my blessings every time I look up. Rick , aka AdkStars.

From my location near the city of Birmingham UK,things have got much worse since i was in my teens,i`m now 50 this month,and i am forced mainly to observe the moon and planets,all but the bright stars are now washed out,and i have to travel well away from my location to see the milky way.

I keep hearing that something is being attempted to do something about the L/P problem,but i see no evidence of it.

Tom.

I live in rural western Maine and have not noticed much of an increase in Light Pollution thus far. No street lights are found on our town roads though some ignorant individuals put them on their homes (none near me luckily) instead of motion sensing security lights. I still can come home on a clear night and step out of the car and be amazed at how bright the Milky Way is as it stretches across the sky. Meteors can be seen on just about any clear night as well.

I live in a pretty isolated area with virtually no development, so light pollution isn't really a problem where I live; however, when I travel light often obstructs my view of space, which is extremely frusturating.

I live in New York City, and its very difficult to get out of the city because I just don't have the time due to my job.

No change observed, but that's always going to be true in any urban environment. As for others, LP is indeed growing because urbanization is growing. Furthermore, the modern world seems to have some weird fixation on artificial lighting at night, like primitive men trying to banish the darkness. Next time you get the chance, take a look at all the lights we turn on without any real need: advertising billboards, neon signs, illuminated signs left on well after the close of business, showroom lights, parking structure lights, streetlamps every couple of dozen meters that remain on even when 95 percent of people are already in bed. . .you get the idea. In addition, rising affluence means more lights, and that in turn means more LP. Until we make up our minds to use energy in a more disciplined way--and lose our fear of the night--we will have LP to deal with. Either get out to a dark sky, or else invest in some good LPR filters.

Living in LA for the last 40+ years, I haven't noticed any change. It's always been bad and still is!

I couldn't say if light pollution has gotten worse in my area. I've only been observing for 2-3 years, but it's pretty bad to the North. On most clear nights there is a pink glow and no stars. It was great during the last ice storm, though when everyone lost their power.

QUOTE: Originally posted by Masterjedi

I would have to say it has been degrading here for some time but there are some places like Death valley and central Nevada that can get so dark you can not see your hands.


If it's so dark, then the Milkyway must be casting shadows on the ground, which implies that you must be able to see your hand.

In central Pa, as long as you're away from malls - which is problematic - and in cold, clear weather, the skies are pretty good. Slow worsening due to population growth and little attention to proper lighting regulations re the sky. Nevertheless, better than some!

lamacher

Always been bad.
Best LM +/- 4.5 straight up. Normal 3.5.
Fortunately it's not a long drive to the mountains.

QUOTE: Originally posted by SN1987A

QUOTE: Originally posted by Masterjedi

I would have to say it has been degrading here for some time but there are some places like Death valley and central Nevada that can get so dark you can not see your hands.


If it's so dark, then the Milkyway must be casting shadows on the ground, which implies that you must be able to see your hand.



Yes, when your eyes are fully dark adapted and the summer Milky Way is above the horizon...but it's worth the drive anyway.

A Frequent Death Valley Visitor

My area is light-polluted regarding astronomical observing goes but inconsistent. Some nights I have great clear views & can see hundreds of stars.Other nights its horrible.

Where's the other option in the poll? Getting better?

Our city (Calgary, Alberta) has instigated a program to reduce light pollution and save energy at the same time. 50,000 street lights have been changed to reduce all upwards facing light.

We could always just go a couple kms west into the Rockies to get A-1 slies but over the last 2 years I can set up the scope in the backyard and see a fantastic improvement.