Light polluted night sky in Leeds and area.

Leodian · Post by **Leodian** » Fri 12 Apr, 2013 10:19 pm

This image shows just how light polluted the night sky is in Leeds and its surrounding region. I have taken the image from the Google Maps/Earth website. The image is credited "Night-lights imagery by NASA's Earth Observatory" and from information I found elsewhere the image data may have been taken in 2012, but in any event it will still be recent.I thought (hope!) the image will be of interest despite it not being directly about Leeds. There certainly is a lot of light pollution! It's no wonder that even on clear nights I often struggle to see more than the brightest stars unless I go into the countryside.

jim · Post by **jim** » Sat 13 Apr, 2013 12:16 am

It could be worse Leodian. The newer street lighting is not as bad as the old once you get a short distance from it. I managed to view comet Pan-Starrs two nights running recently from the Mistress Lane rec. with nothing more exotic than a cheap set of 10x50 binos.

Leodian · Post by **Leodian** » Sat 13 Apr, 2013 12:36 am

jim wrote: It could be worse Leodian. The newer street lighting is not as bad as the old once you get a short distance from it. I managed to view comet Pan-Starrs two nights running recently from the Mistress Lane rec. with nothing more exotic than a cheap set of 10x50 binos. Wow that must have been a great experience Jim. I did not try to look for it as it was reported to be very faint in this region and anyway I could have looked suspicious using binoculars on a local field but still near homes!

raveydavey · Post by **raveydavey** » Sat 13 Apr, 2013 2:33 pm

If you're after dark skies, parts of the Dales are within fairly easy reach of Leeds and offer a considerable improvement over the city.However, if you fancy a trip to Scotland, there is an area in Dumfries and Galloway that is specifically designated a "Dark Sky Park" area where light pollution is almost non-existent.http://www.forestry.gov.uk/darkskygallowayThe darkest place I've ever been was underground at the National Coal Mining museum when they turned off the lights...

Leodian · Post by **Leodian** » Sat 13 Apr, 2013 3:54 pm

Being underground in such as Mud Hall and Sand Cavern in Gaping Gill pothole is utterly dark when everyone switches off their lamps and also noiseless (so I recall as it's very many years since I've been down there). It was an interesting feeling not using the sense of sight and sound for a very brief time.

jim · Post by **jim** » Tue 16 Apr, 2013 9:57 pm

Looks like another clear(ish) night. I'll be on the Mistress Lane rec from 9.15 pm if anyone wants to share my binoculars for a look at comet Pan-Starrs.

jim · Post by **jim** » Wed 17 Apr, 2013 9:29 am

jim wrote: Looks like another clear(ish) night. I'll be on the Mistress Lane rec from 9.15 pm if anyone wants to share my binoculars for a look at comet Pan-Starrs. Oh dear, misjudged the skies. Couldn't even see the Great Galaxy in Andromeda through the binos, so no chance with the comet.

Jogon · Post by **Jogon** » Wed 17 Apr, 2013 10:20 am

It was pretty clear up here early eve, bit of a crescent moon beyond which I could just make out the red-tinted glow of ~cookridge tower warning lights.Leo's light pollute map seems to show the relatively land-locked Thruscross / West End as a good zone. If you live there...it's a long haul.http://goo.gl/maps/9pzfb