Dark sky friendly lighting takes into consideration a few basic design principles:
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• Use “full cutoff” -- otherwise known as fully shielded -- light fixtures where no part of the light source or its reflective and refractive elements are visible above the horizontal. With these fixtures light is aimed only downward where it is needed, not outward and upward where it is wasted.​

 

• Do not over-light an area. This saves money and energy. Reflected light can also contribute to light pollution, so it is important to use only enough light to do what is actually needed.

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• Use lighting which is "warm" or "soft-white." This light is not as harsh and is scattered less than “cool” blue-white light, and protects our health - and the night sky - much better.

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• Shut off light when not needed. Turn off lights when not in use, and incorporate timers or motion sensors which improve security and also save money and energy.

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​Examples of poor versus excellent lighting fixtures for higher efficiency and protecting the night sky, eliminating glare, and helping to prevent light from trespassing onto your neighbor's property.  Many ​dark sky friendly fixtures will have an​ IDA Seal of Approval.

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Click the above for linking to the IDA and its efforts to protect our rapidly vanishing natural heritage of dark skies.

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