Light Pollution is an important subject to all astronomers and the problem grows worse.

It is a sad fact that a whole generation is now growing up with little idea that stars exist and are in many cases even unable to see the brightest stars which form the constellations.

We all owe it to future generations to start taking an interest in this subject.

Even people with no particular interest in astronomy start to see the benefits when the cost in both monetary and environmental terms is pointed out.

Whenever there is a building or lighting scheme near you please take the time to ask whether the lights will be properly shielded so that the light goes where it is needed and not straight up into the sky. An example of poor lighting is shown below. As in the case of many buildings ground level sodium lights have been aimed upwards, in this case to light a church tower, however all that is achieved is to hide the building behind a wall of light with most of the light just going up into the sky.

This is particularly important at the start of the new millennium. There are plans to floodlight 400 churches to celebrate the millennium. Higher lights on masts would be better but unsightly during daylight and downward lights bolted to the side of the church will not be possible where it is a listed building. So the issues are not simple. Assurances have been given that low energy lights averaging 2 kilowatts will be used with light pollution kept to a minimum. Qualified engineers will plan all schemes following the Institution of Lighting Engineers "Guidance Notes for the Reduction of Light Pollution", but it is worth keeping an eye on things.

The British Astronomical Association has formed a joint commission with the International Dark-Sky Association to lobby this issue of Light Pollution called the Campaign for Dark Skies