English translation
12th European Symposium for the Protection of the Night Sky
Bielsko-Biala, 13-15.09.2012r., POLAND
CN-003, Izera Valley
Editor: Artur Lech 06 Nov. 2009
Area CN-003: (IPCN)
Location: boundary part of the Izera valley and the Jizerka valley.
Action taken by: The Astronomical Institute of the University of Wrocław, Astronomical Institute of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, The Forest Inspectorate of Świeradów Zdrój, The Forest Inspectorate of Szklarska Poręba, Protected Landscape Area Jizerské hory and Liberec Regional Directorate of Czech Republic Forests
1. Why should the dark sky in Poland be protected ?
- because it’s a natural good, just like the native fauna and flora,
- bright sky makes it impossible to watch the stars,
- sky observations in Poland have a historic background (Copernicus),
- astronomy is a future science, that should be developed in Poland,
- proper lighting increases the comfort of travelling at night,
- properly designed lighting systems bring great savings !
2. What are the main problems with artificial lighting in Poland ?
- open street lamps with the light pointing upwards and sideways instead of only downwards,