The observatory's monthly public nights, special programs for eclipses, comets, and other astronomical phenomena, and the popular Young Astronomers program, have also brought crowds to the Gardner-Webb campus to look through telescopes. Poorly designed or improperly installed lighting produces glare and skyglow that affect the observatory's ability to serve the public, and can also affect everyday life of the citizens of Cleveland County. The aim of this brochure is to provide information about different types of lighting and important related issues such as glare, light trespass, and skyglow - issues that affect the observatory as well as the residents of Cleveland County. Glare Direct glare is defined as the visual discomfort resulting from insufficiently shielded light sources in the field of view. One should see the effect, not the light source.
Glare never helps visibility, and thus can compromise safety.
The use of unshielded, badly aimed, poorly designed, or otherwise misapplied light fixtures results in wasted light shining into our yards and our windows. Spill light falling over property lines can illuminate adjacent grounds or buildings in an objectionable manner, to the extent that some have taken legal action to address the problem. Be aware of how your actions will affect others. Sky glow Many light fixtures shine a large percentage of their light above the horizontal. This uplight is, in the truest sense of the word, wasted light.