A STARLIT COMMUNITY BEGINS AT HOME—

Just Add Innovation

Municipal "policing" of the vast number of small privately owned lights is impractical and counter-productive. There are far to many such lights to justify to taxpayers the expense of keeping track of them. As a result, lighting with less than 1,800 lumens (dimmer than a 100-watt incandescent bulb) is exempt from most lighting ordinances.

Voluntary participation and community pride have the potential to address many small sources of light pollution. This is where the Institute's educational mission—"to promote astronomy as a cultural activity for people of all ages"—can make a visible difference. Genuine community stewardship represents a sustainable solution for small communities with pristine skies.

Small contributions—made by many— to a common goal can make a measurable difference. Sensible lighting requirements can reduce sky glow by 50%. That's equivalent to turning off half a town's lights. In truly innovative communities up to a 90% reduction in sky glow may be possible.

Start the cycle and help it grow!

1. Replace your home's entrance light with one that's night sky friendly.

• Make a visible difference at home—use shielded lighting, now available from many manufacturers.
   
• Make a difference in your community—buy local. Stores carry what people buy, and people buy what stores carry.

Residential lighting display at the Ellsworth Building Supply in Town Hill, Bar Harbor, ME

2. Fully shield all your lights.

• Easy-to-install clip-on shields are available for Par floodlights.
   
• Install decorative recessed lighting in new construction.

3. Redirect floodlights away from your neighbors and the sky. Be polite—don't trespass with light.

4. Save energy.

• Turn off unused lights. Darkness isn't unfriendly—it's "green"!
   
• Use only as much light as is needed for safety and visibility.
   
• Install motion sensors for convenience and added security.

Educating Maine's Starlit Communities Since 2004

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