Page 27 - BBC Sky at Night Beginners Guide to Astronomy - 2017 UK

NEED TO KNOW

HOW TO BEAT LIGHT POLLUTION

Don’t be a victim of the glare! Here are four ways to reduce the effects of sky glow

Position your telescope so that Make sure your eyes are properly Reduce the glare by asking Buy light pollution fi lters.
it’s shielded from the effects of dark adapted before viewing. your neighbours to temporarily Light pollution fi lters come in
a direct light source. Improve your chances of seeing turn off their security lights. an array of types, depending
It’s surprising how well you can fainter magnitudes by making Are you friendly with your on what light you want to block
overcome local light pollution by sure your eyes are fully dark- neighbours? If it’s their security out (eg sodium and mercury)
simply repositioning your scope adapted before you go outside. light that streams into your garden, and exactly what you want to
in the garden. Find a position Get a red light torch ready and invite them round to look through enhance. They are also known
that is hidden from the view of turn off house lights for at least your scope and they might get as nebula fi lters, as these are the
nearby street or security lights by 15 minutes. Keep them off so they the message when they see a objects they work for. You can
moving closer to a fence or wall. don’t light up your garden. lighthouse shining in their face! buy one for around £20.

5 DARK SKY SITES
1 3
❯1 Galloway Forest Park, Scotland
www.forestry.gov.uk/darkskygalloway

❯2 Kelling Heath, Norfolk
www.kellingheath.co.uk

❯3 Kielder Forest, Northumberland
www.visitkielder.com
❯4 Dartmoor National Park, Devon 2
www.dartmoor-npa.gov.uk
❯5 Brecon Beacons National Park, Wales
www.breconbeacons.org

5

Red and yellow areas are high in
light pollution. Grey areas boast
no adverse effects and are prime
locations for observing
4