Interesting to note that Americans spend $37 BILLION on lighting each year! Wow!

"And let’s not discount the joy of looking up and seeing, instead of a drab void, a boundless expanse of stars. Such a spectacle, which for too many Americans is relegated to a once-a-year camping trip, could help all of us appreciate the scale of the universe and our place in it. It might just remind us of the improbability and precariousness of our existence here on earth, and might even inspire us to work a little harder to preserve it."

Full Article at the csmonitor web site .

Astronomers all over planet Earth invite you to experience the night sky as part of the International Year of Astronomy 2009. This year was picked by the International Astronomical Union and the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization because it occurs 400 years after Galileo turned one of the first telescopes toward the heavens. Peering through that small window, Galileo discovered that the Moon has craters, Venus has phases, Jupiter has moons, and Saturn has rings. This year you can discover these and many modern wonders of the amazing overhead tapestry that is shared by all of humanity. If, like many others, you find the night sky wondrous and educational, be sure to attend an IYA2009 event in your area, and tell any schools and children that might be interested. Also, please feel free to explore the extensive IYA2009 web pages to find international media events that include blogs, webcasts and much much more. 

Dear Colleagues,

The Ninth European Symposium for the Protection of the Night Sky will be launched at the Royal Irish Academy, Dublin, on 16th September 2009 and will then take place from the 17th to the 19th  September 2009 in the Market Place, Armagh, Northern Ireland.

On behalf of the organising committee I would like to invite you to submit proposals for consideration in the programme. This international symposium, held annually, provides a platform for sharing information on light pollution and its effects on the environment, astronomy and human health and also on solutions to the issue through advanced lighting technology, public and amenity ighting, and policy.

E-street seems a great initiative. It plans to reduce energy wasted on streetlighting by retrofitting streetlights and introducing better control gear so that lights can be dimmed when appropriate. The project lists several major lighting manufacturers as well as the EU Intelligent Energy programme as it supporters.

It's a pity therefore that it does not mention using flat glass luminaires. It's been shown time and time again that energy costs can be reduced by simply changing the luminaires used.

Unfortunately E-Street don't seem interested in this at all. Regarding the excellent Slovenian light pollution law e-street has this to say:

“[t]he other local document dealing with road lighting is national law called “Requirements for the limitation of obtrusive light” in force since September 2007. This law was prepared by non experts, it is obsolete, because in public lighting it enforces the solutions w hich are more energy demanding. But lighting designers through the country have to respect the requirements of this document.”

Thats simply wrong. And DarkSky Slovenia do an excellent job of putting them right. Have a look at their response HERE .

The Slovenian Law was prepared by experts in many fields and is a model law for other countries to adopt. It is energy SAVING not demanding. This picture of a retrofit in the Slovenian Capital of Lujbliana showswhere old 250W lamps have been replaced by 150W lamps. These lights allow NO light to spil over the horizon, reduced glare, and give decrease of 40% in energy consumption!

Imagine the energy savings if E-Streets dimming technology was used in conjunction with the best practices used in Slovenia.