How to avoid direct bright street lights??

[Maged]

Hi,

I am really frustrated with many direct bright sodium vapor street lights surrounding my home. Can anybody share practical ideas or easy to use quick fixes that I can apply to overcome the straight light in my eyes when I'm observing?

Many thanks

Maged

[chiltonstar]

I use a hood made of a 1 m square piece of black cloth (Amazon) over my head. I've tried other solutions such as fence panels etc but the cloth works as well, it's cheap and portable!.

Chris

[sgazer]

If they're orange, use a light pollution filter, if they're white, you have to block them out, with a large sheet hung up for example

[Maged]

If they're orange, use a light pollution filter, if they're white, you have to block them out, with a large sheet hung up for example

Yes they are orange and I use a light pollution filter, but the problem is that the light either is directly in my eyes or is reflected on my eyepiece, which makes is nearly impossible to see DSOs

[SteveB72]

I have the same issue and use a hood plus an eye patch. I am sure it gives the neighbours something to talk about.

Flocking my scope and using light shield work well to darken the background and reduce stray light in my dob. A dew shield really helped with my small Mak.

[ronin]

Car and drive elsewhere.

There are so many around and they are now an assortment of types that I find it easier to accept that going to a different location is the easy solution.

Look round for a club or something that has a suitable site.

Not sure if you are in the UK, if you are then perhaps ask the council to fit shields, will not stop it 100% but should reduce the problem.

[Maged]

I will try the hood as a first step. I will have to plan to construct a shelter around me to avoid direct light.

[chiltonstar]

Depending on your scope, it may also be worth adding a dew shield (eg rolled-up camping mat) matt blacked on the inside. For some scopes such as Maks and SCTs, light from a lamp nearby can hit the front corrector plate at an angle and get scattered into the optics - lowers contrast and gives that familiar orange background to everything!

Chris

[PeterW]

Yep, emails to council, big flocked dew shield, some way to stop yourself getting dazzled....

Good luck.

Peter

[Syed Saif Alam]

Suffering with the same... can anyone post the hood you are talking about !!!! I dont get it ... also i was thinkin to make n observatory out of cardboard where ill keep my scope temporarily ... i would really like to see the hood stuff,

Regards

[Maged]

But cardboard is so easily shaken by wind

[estwing]

If you're a Dso hunter you really have to get in the car and drive

[cotterless45]

It's just more convenient to stay in your own garden. I use a load of washing line poles and dark throws to make a light proof compound. The poles go in holes in the ground and the whole let can disappear after use. This gives me glare free observing.

Our council is intending to cut the Lollipop school service. They'd be better cutting the street lights off for part of the night.

As Kalv says , for the faint fuzzies, you've got to make a effort. In addition to a large shaving mirror, you'll need to head out to dark and

Clear Skies !

Nick.

[Maged]

It's just more convenient to stay in your own garden. I use a load of washing line poles and dark throws to make a light proof compound. The poles go in holes in the ground and the whole let can disappear after use. This gives me glare free observing.

Our council is intending to cut the Lollipop school service. They'd be better cutting the street lights off for part of the night.

As Kalv says , for the faint fuzzies, you've got to make a effort. In addition to a large shaving mirror, you'll need to head out to dark and

Clear Skies !

Nick.

[Maged]

Can you please share a picture just for me to imagine your poles and covers

[cotterless45]

Before and after, the possibilities are endless !

Nick.

[Maged]

That's nice and simple

[davedownsouth]

Here is my way:-

1.  I have two washing lines going from the top corner of the shed down to the house such that they form a triangle of sorts (obviously the main use of these is for drying cloths on  ).  On the inside of these, half way down the garden, I put two wooden poles (2.4m x 33mm x 33mm (Homebase)) sunk into standard garden umbrella stands (Argos's best): -

2.  I attached the washing lines to these poles using 20cm bungicords (again, Homebase).  The two washing lines / poles are connected together via a 1.2m bungicord, but I am sure string would work just as well.  This one acts as a washing line for a the felt cover which I use to cut out the light, but you could easily use any blanket, just try to get one which is not too heavy.  I have just shown one end of the 'box', but I have two more poles and these are situated ~3m from the other ones forming an enclosure of 3 x 1.2m.  I have used longer bungicords to form a box 3 x 2m, but this is just a bit more hassle to set-up.   I am not getting out the felt sheet which I use to block the light, as it is wet and quite windy, but the felt sheet is basically just pegged to the washing lines / bugicords forming an enclosed box.  Sure the neighbours think I am mad .  

Hope all of this makes sense, Few more pictures:-

[mikeyrea]

Those sheets are a great idea....

I have a spring pull washing line and one of those big poles that are only a few £ from Asda (must get another one now)!

At the minute I've also got sleet & 50mph gusts of wind, so it might be a while before I get the big sheet out..........

I don't mind driving to a better site, but sometimes the back garden is handy for a quick look or for a gap in the clouds

[trogre]

Some goods ideas me thinks.

[davedownsouth]

A couple of pictures with some of the shields up and ready for tonight .  Only put them up on two side as (1) this is where most of the light pollution comes from (Neighbours on the Port and Stern sides are pretty good) and (2) the moon will be up later so not much point in killing myself blocking out the light pollution from street lights / neighbours  .  Hope the clouds stay away tonight as promised.

[Maged]

That's really nice setup

[mikeDnight]

If possible, you could perhaps build a more permanent light shield in the form of a run off roof observatory, or an unconventional dome, so as not to draw attention to it. It would have the added advantage of being a wind break.

Mike

[Syed Saif Alam]

I did the same .. i have covers now and i really got improved viewings thanks a lot to all of you guys !

[Syed Saif Alam]

If possible, you could perhaps build a more permanent light shield in the form of a run off roof observatory, or an unconventional dome, so as not to draw attention to it. It would have the added advantage of being a wind break.

Mike

I dont get so many gusts of wind . Gwalior is a pretty stable city in terms of wind .