International Meteor Organization's Limiting Magnitude Charts -- The best way to quantatively measure the amount of light pollution is by the determination of the limiting magnitude for stars visible from your area. It is known that, with ideal conditions, the average person should see stars as faint as 6.0 to 6.5 magnitude with the naked-eye. Your Online Guide To Light Pollution - Light pollution is becoming an issue that more people are becoming aware of with growing concern. Light pollution by definition is the adverse effects of excessive artificial light. It includes the alteration of natural light both outdoors and indoors. It makes seeing the stars in the night sky almost impossible in bigger cities, as well as interfering with the observation of the night sky for astronomers. It is also disrupting our ecosystems, and can have adverse effects on our wildlife. There have been studies that show that light pollution can also have negatives effects on our health. The First World Atlas of the Artificial Night Sky Brightness - by Cinzano, Falchi, and Elvidge. (pdf)   Also: The night sky in the World International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) -- goals are to be effective in stopping the adverse environmental impact on dark skies by building awareness of the problem of light pollution and of the solutions, and to educate everyone about the value and effectiveness of quality nighttime lighting. IDA believes in a united approach that is very supportive of the many local and individual efforts.     © Copyright 2011 - Samuel J. Wormley   by swormley1@gmail.com