FRANCE: Renowned observatory in French Pyrenees demands reduction of light pollution from surrounding cities

Record ID: 217024

  • Title: FRANCE: Renowned observatory in French Pyrenees demands reduction of light pollution from surrounding cities
  • Date: 18th June 2009
  • Summary: SLATE INFORMATION PIC DU MIDI, FRANCE (JUNE 14, 2009) (REUTERS) WIDE SHOT OF MOUNTAIN AND PIC DU MIDI OBSERVATORY PIC DU MIDI OBSERVATORY PAN OF MOUNTAINS VIEWED FROM CABLE CAR PAN OF OBSERVATORY EXTERIOR OF TELESCOPE PAN OF MOUNTAINS INTERIOR OF TELESCOPE INTERIOR OF TELESCOPE WITH THIERRY ROUDIER, ASTRONOMER AT COMPUTER VARIOUS COMPUTER SCREEN WITH MOON (SOUN
  • Embargoed: 3rd July 2009 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: France
  • Country: France
  • Topics: Environment / Natural World
  • Reuters ID: LVA4HQYFUR41A7V6AUOK1F4QL7MV
  • Story Text: Astronomers at a renowned French observatory launch a campaign to create a "dark-sky reserve" around their site to reduce light pollution from nearby cities.
    Astronomers at an observatory in the French Pyrenees say that light from surrounding cities is preventing them from getting a good look at the heavens.
    The world-renowned Pic du Midi Observatory has launched a campaign to create a "dark-sky reserve" around the site, encouraging nearby city officials to reduce their light output.
    "It is important to preserve the sky for scientists and the public at large. When we observe the sky and the Milky Way, we have an idea of where we are in the cosmos. When we cannot see the sky then we are living in the dark and cannot see where man fits into the universe," said astronomer Thierry Roudier.
    On a clear day the entire Pyrenees range is visible from the observatory, located some 200 kilometers (125 miles) southwest of Toulouse and 2877 meters (9438 feet) above sea level. But the night-time lights of Toulouse are also visible.
    "The problem is pretty simple. When we look towards Toulouse from here, we see lights from the city. If up here at 3,000 meters we see the city lights that means they are pointing upward. We do not want that. We want them to point downwards. When they are pointing upward that means they are lighting the sky and preventing us from seeing it, and also that a lot of electricity is being wasted at tax payer expense," said astronomer Sebastien Vauclaur.
    Monuments like the Saint Sernin Basilica, lit nightly with powerful spotlights, is high on the astronomers' list of offenders.
    "I think there is a real balance to be struck between lighting up tourist sites in the city and providing enough light to ensure security for local residents. It is also important to preserve a decent view of the night sky in and around Toulouse. It is not just about lighting the city, but rather lighting it sensibly," said Régine Lange, Deputy Mayor of Toulouse.
    City officials in Toulouse say they will dim their lights and switch to more energy-efficient bulbs.
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