Mooresville, Ind. - Officials of the Indiana Astronomical Society have asked the Mooresville Planning Commission for help in reducing light pollution in Morgan County.

The Society hopes planners will consider beefing up zoning ordinances governing outdoor lighting in Mooresville.

Light pollution is a problem for stargazers and others, according to Society Secretary Kevin Fleming. He estimated that more than 50% of stars that should be visible in the night sky above Link Observatory cannot be seen because of light pollution.

"With no light pollution you should be able to see 2,000 to 2,500 stars," he explained. "I would say that at the Link Observatory we can see less than 1,000 stars. So, obviously, it's at least 50% or more destroyed.

Street lights and brightly lit convenience stores were cited as major sources of stray light.

Fleming told commission members most outdoor lighting that pollutes the night sky can be prevented by the use of fixtures and lighting plans designed to direct light downward instead of outward.

"When light is shielded and downward-directed, it's only going where it is needed. Plus, you don't need as much of it." he said.

New designs can make better use of a smaller amount of light, cutting electrical costs as well as light pollution, Fleming noted.

Lights properly directed will only illuminate the desired area and not infiltrate the night sky or neighboring properties.

"You can get just as much illumination in an area using moderate intensity lights by directing the light downward onto the property," said Fleming.

He estimated the intense lighting found at gas stations and other roadside attractions has doubled light pollution in the Mooresville area in the last five years.

"It's a fairly recent phenomenon, these gas station-convenience stores that look like a combination surgery center under the canopy," Fleming said. "They have really caused the illumination levels to go off the charts in the last five years or so."

He also claims that bright lights can cause glare and night blindness in drivers.

"Intense lights at night can leave you unable to see clearly," Fleming told the commission. "They also cause deep shadows that can be dangerous for drivers and for pedestrians that cannot be seen well."

He told the commission that glare is caused by intense reflected light, and is extremely counterproductive. He added there are outdoor light fixtures designed with interior baffles that cut glare without reducing light output.

"There's an expression," Fleming noted. "The more glaring light you have, the more light you need."

Fleming said the Society hopes the planners will revise development ordinances that regulate commercial lighting.

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