Title
Recommended Citation
August 1, 2012.
Abstract
Using a Czerny-Turner spectrometer, 45 different types of outdoor lights were categorized. These spectra were used to determine how useful the light is to human eyes and how dark skies friendly these lights are. Dark skies friendly lighting means that little to no light shines above a right angle to the light, and should emit as little as possible below 500nm (green) wavelengths. The short wavelengths present a problem to astronomers in the form of Rayleigh scattering. The following criterion were used in selecting the best source for urban and rural lighting: color rendition measured by color rendering index (CRI), percentage of light scattered because it is emitted under 500 nm, and efficiency (lumens/watt). Analysis determined that the best option currently available is to add a 495-500 nm filter to existing and future white LEDs in cities.
Disciplines
Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics | Environmental Health and Protection | Optics | Other Astrophysics and Astronomy | Other Earth Sciences | Sustainability
Mentor
Stephen M. Pompea
Lab site
National Optical Astronomy Observatory (NOAO)
Funding Acknowledgement
This material is based upon work supported by the S.D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation and by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0952013. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the S.D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation or the National Science Foundation. This project has also been made possible with support of the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation. The STAR program is administered by the Cal Poly Center for Excellence in Science and Mathematics Education (CESaME) on behalf of the California State University (CSU).
Included in
Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics Commons, Environmental Health and Protection Commons, Optics Commons, Other Astrophysics and Astronomy Commons, Other Earth Sciences Commons, Sustainability Commons
URL: https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/star/128