Protecting Montseny dark sky
In a pioneer way the Catalan Government promoted the Law 6/2001 summarizing Catalonia's regulations for protecting the nocturnal environment from light pollution. It also discusses Decree 82/2005, which establishes requirements for light quality, amount, spatial and temporal confinement.
As a professional astronomer and member of the International Dark Sky Association, and the SEA, I give advise to town councils to improve illumination standards and restore the nighttime environment. Having a preserved night sky protects communities from the harmful effects of light pollution.
From our private initiative we contribute to protect the night sky through outreach, measurements and conservation. We keep direct contact with several city councils to preserve the dark sky as an added value for nature and the environment.
We organize astronomical events to demonstrate that the night sky is also a tourist attraction, an added value to enterprises. Rural houses and restaurants have enjoyed some of our outreach events.
Quite recently Gualba council was informed about the strong impact having a recent light installed in a nearby municipal infrastructure.
Basic concepts on light pollution
What is it?
Light pollution is a human-made alteration of outdoor light levels from those occurring naturally.
What are the effects?
Light pollution disrupts wildlife, directly affects human health. It also involves an expenditure of money because a bad illumination wastes energy, contributing to climate change, and blocking our ancestral view of the night sky.
Is our outreach project under risk by light pollution?
Indeed. Our observatory, despite of being located in the countryside is affected by light pollution of several towns and public infrastructures. We have already informed several city councils that the current level of light pollution are extremely hight and not only affect our astrometric follow-ups of asteroids and comets, but also disrupts wildlife, affecting human health.
