As you all know by now, it’s on 26th of March this Saturday at Planetarium Negara from 8 to 10 p.m. The Earth Hour is from 830-930, we hope that they will turn their lights off longer so that we can have more stargazing uptime. Weather permitting, I personally would really like to see what it feels like stargazing in the middle of KL.
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On a side note, I hope this event will raise some awareness of this thing called LIGHT POLLUTION.
Yeah, it deserves a big title because it’s a really big issue for all us astro junkies out there! Even from our stargazing spot in Kajang last week, there was a permanent patch of light in the sky coming from the mighty Kuala Lumpur. And do you know what is the comment I received most when I’m in the initial phase of starting this club? Yeah, it’s light pollution all right.
We’re fighting the good fight for the forgotten night sky. But of course, you will quote factors such as safety concerns, driving safety, aesthetics and such. But, after all these factors, there are still some lightings that can be reduced. Is it really necessary to light the whole KLCC in white every night? And the Yes Cube at Jalan Bukit Bintang? The streetlights could also use the more efficient ‘shoebox’ design rather than open ended designs that is very much ineffective at its job and made stargazers see red over them.
Even Fred Schaaf mentioned this in the very first night of 40 Nights to knowing the sky!
Help us fight the good fight. After Earth hour, commit yourself to reduce your photon footprint as much as possible, from changing your lighting designs, reduce unnecessary outdoor lighting, and petition big buildings to stop illuminating their buildings except for the airplane warning lights.
After all, the Universe has already provided us a much more stunning and enthralling night light in the sky – the cosmos.
