Light Pollution

lakitu · 11 Sep 2009 at 13:31

Looking at getting into Astronomy and would like to know what light pollution is like in my area. I live in Birmingham, B13 which is in Moseley. I have a large garden but worried as I'm only 5 miles from the city centre.

V4NT0M · 11 Sep 2009 at 13:34

http://www.britastro.org/dark-skies/bestukastrolocation.html
http://www.cpre.org.uk/campaigns/landscape/light-pollution/light-pollution-in-your-area
Any help?

lakitu · 11 Sep 2009 at 13:40

Skyfall said:
http://www.britastro.org/dark-skies/bestukastrolocation.html
http://www.britastro.org/dark-skies/bestukastrolocationmap2.html

Any help?

I checked that site but can't gather if my area is bad, however I know it's not great. Not many areas in the UK seems to be any good.

PhillyDee · 11 Sep 2009 at 13:48

You will be able to see the light pollution as a dull glow in the sky.

ElliorR · 11 Sep 2009 at 14:26

It is one of the most annoying things about living in a built up area. Many years ago I went on holiday to the Norfolk Broads and when moored up in the middle of nowhere one clear night, I was amazed at what I saw.

Kreeeee · 11 Sep 2009 at 14:29

ElliorR said:
It is one of the most annoying things about living in a built up area. Many years ago I went on holiday to the Norfolk Broads and when moored up in the middle of nowhere one clear night, I was amazed at what I saw.

When on holiday in Portugal I can look up at night and see what feels like 50% of the space is filled with stars/galaxies.

PhillyDee · 11 Sep 2009 at 14:48

I go to Star Parties (One in October at Kielder forest). Incredibly clear skies (Exactly why I go!) well worth the torrential rain, floods and -4/-5 temperatures.
Oh, and I go camping

doofer · 11 Sep 2009 at 15:31

Light pollution should be fine in Birmingham, it must be the dimmest part of the whole Country after Stoke.

The Dread Pirate · 11 Sep 2009 at 15:51

doofer said:
Light pollution should be fine in Birmingham, it must be the dimmest part of the whole Country after Stoke.

I lol'd

Amp34 · 11 Sep 2009 at 16:08

If you can only see about a dozen or two stars then it's likely to be heavily polluted, which it is. Unless you get around 20+ miles from a built up area you won't see anything particularly brilliant tbh.

lakitu · 11 Sep 2009 at 16:33

Amp34 said:
If you can only see about a dozen or two stars then it's likely to be heavily polluted, which it is. Unless you get around 20+ miles from a built up area you won't see anything particularly brilliant tbh.

Oh bugger, well im sure i'll be able to see the moon, I will have to take it to my mums house if I want to see much more.

moon man · 11 Sep 2009 at 19:44

In yorkshire what i can see is pathetic but in St Agnes its amazing ,where we are theres no street lighting just field then Atlantic ,stunning skies with a haze of stars I sit outside for hours just looking