Light Pollution Handbook (Astrophysics and Space Science Library, 322)

This book deals with light pollution and about the ways to reduce it. Light pollution is one of the negative side-effects of artificial outdoor lighting. The term light pollution is an unhappy one, but as no better alternative seems to exist, it will be used throughout this book. The function of all outdoor lighting is to enhance the visibility or the aesthetics in the nighttime environment. The light should come where it is needed. If not, it is spilled, causing economic and environmental losses as well as disturbance and discomfort. The overall effects are termed 'light pollution'; a major form of light pollution is the glow extending over the night sky. Sky glow is discussed in many astronomical textbooks and in many popular brochures. The present book is primarily aimed at those responsible for outdoor lighting installations. Thus, an engineering approach has been chosen. The level of the book is that of 'college' or 'University level'. The book is organized in two parts. The first seven chapters cover the areas of general interest, and conclude with recommendations. The second part deals with the scientific and engineering elaboration of the first part. A number of examples are included that refer to specific outdoor lighting installations and projects that are directly related to the reduction of light pollution. Finally, some information is given about the authors.

From the reviews:

"This is an excellent book, extremely comprehensive and very well done. The authors are very experienced lighting engineers, and thoroughly familiar with lighting and with pollution impacts. I know them both well. they have done an excellent job in producing this volume. Both are leaders in teh efforts to reduce the adverse effects of light pollution on humans and on the ecosystem I highly recommend it."

".....it is an excellent reference to most of all aspects of this important topic."
(Newsletter of the International Dark-Sky Association, Issue 62)

 "Light Pollution Handbook (really a two-handbook at 945 pages) is one-stop shopping for nearly every issue related to light pollution."(Planetarian, September 2006)

"Authors cover in this more than 900 page book much more than simply light pollution, they provide background information in both fundamentals and different implications of light pollution. ... In summary if somebody has the time to dig deep into the sections of the book, he will find a tremendous amount of interesting data, and especially references to further reading. ... It can be recommended for the expert reader, who would like to find out more on the background of a particular subject." (CIE News, Vol. 81, 2007)