[Leica] astronomy anti-light pollution question

[jackherron at cox.net (Jack C. Herron)]

I had the same problem.  I met with the city lighting engineer and described 
the problem to him and he promised action.  3 months later a crew came out 
and installed a metal shield on the lamp itself, just to block light coming 
my way, and not interfering with the illuymination of the street. 
Politeness and courtesy work best here.  One suggestion;  Stay in touch and 
help with the design, the shield the boys installed is a trifle small, and I 
think that had I confered with them I could have had a larger and more 
effective shield installed, that still would not haved blocked street 
lighting.
    A neighbor suggested shooting it out, but that would break at least 3 
local laws.  Not a good idea.
    Before this, I opened the circuit at the base of the light, installed a 
switch which could only be reached through a small holl drilled in the cover 
plate.  When I wanted to observe, I turned of the lamp during the day 
observed, and turned on the light when done.  The neighbor to the right 
thought I was a hero because the light shined into his bedroom window, and 
the neighbor to the left threatened to turn me into the police.  He operated 
a welding business from a well equipped truck, and felt that his "enemies" 
would take advantage of the darkness.  Since I had not damaged the lamp, and 
had contributed goods and services to the city, I felt that if charged, I 
would submit a bill for my "improvements".  Still it put a damper on 
observing, and working with the city was a better solution.  I came to this 
conclusion after they updated the streetlight and removed my mods.
Jack
Jack C. Herron
8118 E. 20th St.
Tucson, AZ 85710
520 885-6933
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Eric Korenman" <faneuil@gmail.com>
To: "LUG" <lug@leica-users.org>
Sent: Sunday, September 03, 2006 9:11 AM
Subject: [Leica] astronomy anti-light pollution question


> Gather all for an odd question:
>
> An amateur astronomer friend asked called me this morning to ask for 
> advice.
> The street light on his corner is giving him problems observing the night
> sky.
> He tried to shield it from view with minimal improvement.
> He has decided to temporarily cover the light head itself with opaque
> material.
> He was wondering what kind of material to use.
>
> I first suggested a pellet gun to 'whack' the light.. Too much civil
> disobedience for him.
> Then I suggested heat resistant metallic cloth.
> The kind they use in fire rescue work. (?)
> Anyone know where to get a metallic blanket to cover a streetlight?
> Any other ideas?
>
> Eric
>
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