Astronomists seek to keep the nights dark

OFFICE LIGHTS and street lamps in the City of London causing light pollution, which is concerning astronomists and conservationists.

The Council for the Protection of Rural England and the British Astronomical Association say polluting and intrusive night lights prevent good views of the night sky. They have produced a leaflet advising the public, planners and developers on how light pollution can be minimised. Jonathan Dimbleby, the television presenter and the CPRE's president, and Patrick Moore, presenter of BBC TV's The Sky at Night, launched the campaign.

Mr Dimbleby said: 'Dark nights, star-studded skies, moonlight shadows and the shades of dusk and dawn are as much a part of the wonder and excitement of our countryside as the mosaic of trees and hedgerows, mountains and moorlands. As the clocks go forward this weekend we should be celebrating the moon and stars . . . instead we are in danger of smothering them in the orange glow of street lights.'

The leaflet calls for the use of well-designed lights and removal of unnecessary lighting.

Photograph: Philip Meech

(Photograph omitted)