Stargazers say street lights decision mars view (From Swindon Advertiser)

Stargazers say street lights decision mars view

4:37pm Wednesday 15th February 2012 in Local By Katie Bond

Stargazers say street lights decision mars view

A GROUP of astronomers in Swindon claim the council’s decision to switch street lights back on is killing their hobby.

The Swindon Stargazers Club believes visibility in the skies over Swindon has reduced to the point where it is impossible to see the Milky Way, due to excessive street lights and exterior building lights.

It comes after the Adver announced last week that the council had made a u-turn on street lights after a public outcry over safety concerns.

In July last year, the decision was made to switch off 433 lights, mainly in West and East Swindon. Of those, 44 have already been turned back on and the remaining lights will come back on at a cost of £30,000.

But Rob Slack, of Parks, who is a member of the Stargazers club and has been a space enthusiast since he was a child, said: “I find the light pollution in and around Swindon slowly becoming worse, to the point now where on most nights it is impossible to see the wonders of the Milky Way, our home in the universe.”

Rob, who said the solar eclipse in 1999 fuelled his interest in astronomy, said he and his fellow members at the club, which meets in Lawn and boasts around 35 members, are being driven further afield to seek out dark skies.

He said: “We should perhaps change our name to the East Kennet or Uffcott Stargazers.

“Stray light is a form of pollution, it is now considered as a similar form of pollution to smoke or noise.

“Poorly designated or installed lighting not only causes astronomers to shake their heads in desperation, but also wastes vast amounts of energy.

“Various buildings have appeared of late and these make use of upward lighting on the exterior of the building. A hotel in Fleming Way is an example, and we also had problems a few years back with a nightclub which was using a search light as an advertising tool.”

Rob also said there is no evidence to suggest that crime has increased in areas where street lights have been switched off.

“Other counties where street lighting has been switched off after midnight have shown no increase in crime, but instead has recorded a fall. We do not need more lighting, what is required is properly designated and installed lighting that utilises all of the light to where it is needed, and that is not the sky.”

For more information about the club, visit www.swindonstargazers.com