The Laramie Astronomical Society and Space Observers (LASSO), is actively working to eliminate light pollution in Albany County. Light pollution has effectively removed the Milky Way, our own galaxy, from the night skies over much of Laramie.
To save our night skies, Albany County has approved certain anti-light pollution regulations recommended by the Albany County Planning and Zoning Commission, with input from LASSO members.
The Albany County Board of County Commissioners approved the last of these regulations on September 2. Links to copies of these proposals can be found by clicking on this link. Here is a Link to a pamphlet explaining Albany County's outdoor lighting regulations.
Below are photos of light pollution in the Laramie area, and links to sites which explain what light pollution and light trespass are, and what can be done about these problems. LASSO is now working with the City of Laramie in an attempt to get outdoor lighting regulations passed in the city (county regulations do not apply to the city). Most of the light pollution in Albany County originates in Laramie.
This is a panoramic view of Laramie. Left is east, right is west. This was taken from the hill north of Indian Paintbrush School. This image is wider than a regular web page, so you will have to scroll back and forth to see the whole photo. Note how bright the school looks in the foreground. That is because the light is being directed down at the ground, not outward to the surrounding properties and upward into outer space. The school actually has good lighting fixtures that cut down on light pollution. The same can't be said for 99 percent of the outdoor lighting in Laramie. Good lighting fixtures reduce light trespassing onto other properties, and they do a better job of putting the light where it will do the most good. Contact Laramie City Council members and Albany County Commissioners and ask them to pass regulations to restrict light pollution and light trespass.
This a panoramic view of Laramie. Left is east, right is west. This image is wider than a regular web page, so you will have to scroll back and forth to see the whole photo. This was taken from the hill just north of Laramie near Third Street. The brightest light trespass on the right side of the photo comes to your courtesy of some large truck stops. This light is visible hundreds of miles in space (see link below for a view of Laramie from space). The light pollution from Laramie also affects the night skies for miles around the city. In dark skies, over 2,600 stars are visible to the naked eye, but in some parts of Laramie less than 100 or so stars are visible because of light pollution. The Milky Way cannot be seen in many areas of the city.
This photo is taken from the hill at the end of Willett Street near the golf course. This is a panoramic view of Laramie. Left is east, right is west. This image is wider than a regular web page, so you will have to scroll back and forth to see the whole photo. The bright lights on the left are coming from Wal-Mart, car dealerships and other businesses along Grand Avenue. The Wal-Mart parking lot lights look like "full cut-off" lighting that should keep the direct rays of lights from the fixtures confined to the Wal-Mart property, but they are not. Instead, the fixtures allow light to travel miles beyond Wal-Mart's property, constituting light trespass. Proper cut-off lighting fixtures greatly reduce this problem, and they would do a better job of illuminating the parking lot by putting the light where it belongs, on the ground.
For more information on light pollution, light trespass and how to stop these problems from destroying the beauty of the night sky, check out the following links:
International Dark Sky Association
Indiana Council on Outdoor Lighting Education
Turn out your lights during National Dark Sky Week
Satellite image of Wyoming at night Light Pollution Science and Technology Institute
(studies light pollution around the globe using satellite images)
Slide show of light fixtures and how they affect light pollution
The Light Pollution Awareness Website
Glare and driver vision impairment (medical testimony)
Aspen's light pollution ordinance
more links related to light pollution