Can light pollution be a good thing?

I’ve spent my entire stargazing experience (2 months and bio’s) in the city where I can make out most of the constellations.

Last night I drove down to Moone in Kildare where my brother lives in middle of no where. The sky was very clear and the Milky Way was prominent, it was quite amazing.

My problem was it took me ages to find half the constellations because of the mass of stars which I can’t see from the city.

I would safely say it’s much easer for a beginner to learn the night sky in the city rather than in light pollution free sky’s.

It’s almost like the light pollution filters the sky and only leaves the constellations.

Does anyone share my view?

I suppose you have a poin there, but as your interest in the hobby grows, light pollution would surely be a limiting factor, and it probaly would put a lot of people off, that's just my view. I grew up in a city, now live in super dark skies at might in the countrysode, when I go for a visit back home, the night sky is very poor.

Keith..

I suppose you have a poin there, but as your interest in the hobby grows, light pollution would surely be a limiting factor, and it probaly would put a lot of people off, that's just my view. I grew up in a city, now live in super dark skies at might in the countrysode, when I go for a visit back home, the night sky is very poor.

Keith..

Hi Crescent.
An interesting question.

''Can light pollution be a good thing?''

My answer...
A humongous an rather shrill sounding 'NOOOOOOooooo!'

:laugh:

Here's why I say so...

It's all got to do with what you are used to...
If you had never seen the sky light polluted you would just
accept it (in all it's starry glory) for what it is and learn the stars and constellation regardless.

I have found though in certain places (eg Mt Parnon in Greece or The Burren on a good night)
that the sheer amount of stars visible does indeed make it difficult to make out
the constellations...
but what a problem to have!!!!

:laugh:


I used to be able to put up with the odd street light here or there but
now I can't really be happy unless I am miles away from a town,
(aside from observing the planets or Moon of course)

I reckon if you stick with it you may feel the same in time.

I think Franks explanation hits the nail on the head, Crescent. I know what you mean, mind you, from when I lived in Maynooth. During my NUIM days, when we used to (sometimes) bring out our instruments onto the playing pitch (this is during the Astro 2 days), the light pollution only allowed us to see pretty much what you saw. It was easy to point out to newbies the major constellations of interest because of that. I can only wonder if they would have had the same thoughts as you...

Seanie.

Crescent wrote:

Does anyone share my view?

No. Wear sunglasses observing in dark areas in future.