[AZ-Observing] [Fwd: Re: Re: Astronomy an unhealthy activity? NO! Light Pollution is Unhealthy!!]
- From: "Howard C. Anderson" <handy13@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: az-obs <az-observing@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 10 Oct 2005 20:19:09 -0700
Hi,
A few months ago, I tried to do time-lapse photography of a Cereus
cactus that was about to flower in my yard. Put a 100 Watt bulb about
6 feet from the plant so my webcam would have enough light. I was shocked!
the flowers wilted before opening. Normally, the plant blooms at night then
by about 10 AM the flowers wilt. I knew that SUNLIGHT was strong enough
to cause them to wilt but I sure didn't think a 100 watt light would
have any effect!
I then wrote software to control an X10 light so that the light would only
come on when the camera needed to take a frame (about 2 seconds
every 10 minutes.) That worked. (Although I had to wait
6 months for another flower cycle...) The flowers bloomed OK.
Anyway, the cactus was profoundly influenced by a 100 watt light bulb.
I wonder
how many other things might require more darkness than we are now providing?
I understand the President wants us all to save energy. I wonder how
much energy
is used in lighting our streets so bright that I cannot tell whether my
headlights are on?
How much does it cost? Does anyone know where they keep the light bill
for Phoenix,
Tempe, Scottsdale, Mesa, etc.?
There is, however, a potential down-side of getting the lighting reduced.
During the "energy crisis" in the 70's, I was in the Washington D.C.
area and they told everyone to save electricity. Town is full of
duty-bound, patriotic,
and conscientious (really - contrary to what most people think) civil
servants and
other government workers many of whom actually complied. They complied
so well that the electricity companies suddenly developed a cash-flow
problem.
They then used that as evidence that they needed a rate increase!
They got their rate increase! :-)
--
Thanks,
Howard (in Tempe, Arizona)
http://www.astroshow.com
http://www.azcendant.com
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