LIGHT POLLUTIO CHARTER OF CELESTIAL ETHICS CARTA ETICA CELESTE UAI BAA AAMT INQUINAMENTO LUMINOSO ARTIFICIAL LIGHT CUT OFF CARLO ROSSI ITALY AAMT ROME CIVITAVECCHIA LAZIO 

ITALIAN AMATEUR ASTRONOMERS UNION
c/o Università degli Studi of Padova
Department of Astronomy
Vicolo dell’Osservatorio 5,    I-35122    Padova, Italia
Internet site : www.uai.it
e-mail : info@uai.it
 
National Light Pollution Committee
Via B.Medici 12,    I-00053    Civitavecchia, Roma, Italia
e-mail : inqlum@uai.it
Telephone :  +39  0766-507371
 
Charter of celestial ethics

A river of artificial light has cancelled out the stars. The night sky is dying. 
Light pollution, the effect of light wasted upwards defies the natural balance 
of day and night, light and dark. The charter of celestial ethics is a 
behavioural code with the aim of saving the night sky.

General Terms

The starry sky, a visual and real image of the universe, is the heritage of 
humankind;
let's not alter the day-night natural balance;
let's not send artificial light towards the vault of heaven;
let's respect flora and fauna;
let's not upset the psychological and physical balance of people;
let's not dazzle people and animals;
let's not destroy the astronomical culture inherited from our forefathers;
let's not hinder scientific observation and astronomical research;
let's save energy and the economic resources;
let's not reduce the chlorophyllian synthesis of plants.

Particular Terms

Let's use shielded outdoor light sources;
let's light from the top downwards;
let's reduce bright emissions late at night;
let's not use excessive floodlights on monuments, churches, and areas of 
archaeological interest;
let's send light only where people need it;
let's not project images towards the vault of heaven, on land or on facades;
let's not use skybeams and laser beacons;
let's use monochrome lamps or slightly "hot" (pink/orange colours) and limit 
their use;
let's use highly efficient lamps;
let's turn on/off fittings at civil twilight;
let's turn off fittings when not needed.

The terms of this charter should serve for the planning of exterior lighting 
schemes;
let's respect and spread the celestial ethical charter.
Those who do not abide by the requirements of the celestial ethical charter will 
be counted among the many destroyers and spoilers of the starry sky, to their 
shame: will posterity remember their names?

2001 August
 
 
 
 
 
Edited by Eng. Carlo Rossi, National Light Pollution Committee of the Italian 
Amateur Astronomers Union, Civitavecchia, Roma, Italy.

Translation by Prof. Renato Palomba, Amateur Astronomers Monti della Tolfa, 
Civitavecchia, Roma, Italy and Bob Mizon, British Astronomical Association 
Campaign for Dark Skies, England.

 

Bob Mizon.
    <http://www.mizar-astro.freeserve.co.uk/mailsend.htm>
    38 The Vineries, Colehill, Wimborne, Dorset, BH21 2PX, UK.
    International:  +44  1202  887084     National (UK):  01202  887084

Coordinator, British Astronomical Association Campaign for Dark Skies
    <http://www.dark-skies.org/>

 
Mizar Travelling Planetarium
    <http://www.mizar-astro.freeserve.co.uk/>

 
Wessex Astronomical Society
    <http://www.wessex-astro-society.freeserve.co.uk/>

Author: 'Light Pollution' (Springer, 2001 Nov; ISBN 1-85233-497-5), 
orders@svl.co.uk