Light pollution Map
 

Look at the difference between Squam, Winni and NewFound !!

Looks like the Liberals on Squam are doing the right thing ;)

Click the Icon (colored squares) in the upper right and turn opacity down to 30% or so.

https://lighttrends.lightpollutionma...9&lat=43.70254

Yeah but the fish in Squam light up...

https://www.laconiadailysun.com/news...39e783924.html

Dan

That map uses data points taken at 6 PM, when everything around Squam shuts down.

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Believe me, I know all about it. I'm convinced that the community around Squam is diligent in detecting, tracking, fixing and paying for it. I suspect Squam isn't the only lake with health problems either.

Isn't that what defines light pollution?

I think Restaurants and Marina's all close at the same time on all the lakes.

What's left on other lakes, FunSpot and MiniGolf ;)

To be honest, I'm sure it's big properties and mega developments with night time tennis courts etc. that is the bulk of the light.

I don't want to argue over which lake is better. I love the whole lakes region and love the activity around Winni as much as the quiet life around Squam.

I was just funnin'.
Light pollution is mostly from big(ger) businesses that both stay open later and light all night (not really a reflection of operating hours/my joke).

I remember when Lowe's in Nashua went in and they had these giant lights on when I would drive home from school after dark (and they were closed)—I used to get so upset thinking how they added to the local light pollution. I stopped teaching night school shortly afterward, so I'm not sure if they still keep them on.

In any case, enjoy the night sky!

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From their About...

This is VIIRS DNS 2018 August 1:30AM

It's interesting how black it is around NewFound Lake.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...41930e_h_d.jpg

The darkest place I've ever been was Yosemite back in 2005. For the star walk, rangers had people shut all flashlights off and, after 15 minutes of acclimation, walk out to Tuolomne Meadow. It was AMAZING.

I also had great experiences in Baxter State Forest and the 100-Mile Wilderness.

It's amazing what you can see in such conditions.

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Saw this in The Laker this morning: https://www.squamlakes.org/events/ni...-and-community

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I've taken star photos from Bear looking south but there's a lot more light from Governors that spoils the photos. They have a community building that is all lit up all night long. It is really unnecessary.

Agreed on these dopes who light up their yards, or businesses, or community centers, or whatever all night long. Just no need for it. If they are worried about security, they can install motion detectors that will pay for themselves with lower electric bills

I agree. They have these new things called motion sensors and timers.

I was a bit peeved when a neighbor (a good friend) lit up their whole dock with automatic solar lights that run well into the morning hours.

The excuse most used is they want the lights to deter crime. Many studies have shown that the vast majority of crime happens in the daytime, and lights may actually help increase crime by creating blind spots.

https://reolink.com/do-outside-lights-deter-burglars/

I can see my yard better at night when there are no lights other than stars or the moon. We really notice this in the winter when the light pollution around here is lower.

Moonless--Not Starless--Night...
 

Nothing can compare to a tour of Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky. The cave's guides turn off dozens of flood lights while saying, "This is the view of the cave during the 120 million years when a river flowed through here". The area formerly illuminated was immense, and nobody could speak a word. :eek2:

The second darkest area I've experienced was the top of my neighbor's Wolfeboro driveway, about 1959.

My sister and I had just finished an evening of board games, when we were confronted with putting one foot in front of the other and try not to fall off the paved roadway surface. We had about 1000 feet to travel home. :eek:

After a minute, we realized we could see the grassy edge of the roadway because the light from bright stars had become our missing flashlight. It took decades before the term, "starshine" became popularized.

Starshine has gradually faded, and lately, bright floodlights illuminating a Wolfeboro auto dealer's lot four miles distant took all that starshine away. :(

Lighting Types and Effects
 

Good article here by the International Dark-Sky Assoc. explaining the skyglow affects various types of illumination cause:

https://www.darksky.org/our-work/lig...ghting-basics/


There is additional information on their site about lighting and crime deterrence amongst other subjects.

Star Light, Star Bright
 

We have had visitors to our place on East Bear Island who had never seen the Milky Way before coming here. We often lie on the dock to look for satellites and watch the Space Station pass by. 🐻

Thank you for sharing this!

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The illumination maps show that most of the islands are in good shape.

Dark places.
 

Nearest dark place for star gazing that I found was Wicwas Lake! Hardly any pollution there! Next best is Waterville Valley. There is actually a town ordnance to prevent light pollution. You will notice all the street lights have canopy so the light reflect downward. Kudos to WV!

There should be a federal law on light pollution. In my mind it is an alien deterence. LOL!

There should be a state law on light pollution around bodies of water. It is very difficult to navigate around the lake in season. Off season is better, but I still see a lot of places where lights are on even when there is no residence! Even in the winter when snowmobiling! To me this attract theives, not deter them.