Lights hinder astronomy viewing
Bright lights on campus and in the community still pollute the night sky for astronomers.
"We're trying to get the City to have some sort of regulation on lighting," said Wayne Osborne, physics professor.
"The campus is getting brighter and brighter and as the lights aren't properly shielded, they affect the astronomy viewing."
Osborne said the issue is astronomers always like it dark. Lights shining directly on the observatory are like oncoming cars with their brights on, he said.
CMU's observatory is located on the roof of Brooks Hall.
"It's a lot more safe if you have lights where you want (them)," he said.
Osborne said outdoor lighting should be shielded so it falls on a person's own property and not their neighbors.
The City of Mount Pleasant was asked to look into the issue of light pollution about two years ago, but has been slow to act, Osborne said.
"The City realizes there is a problem, but they've been fairly slow as to what to do with it," he said.
Cynthia Bradley, city commissioner, said Mount Pleasant has set a goal for developing a light-pollution ordinance in conjunction with Union Township.
Bradley said the planning commission hopes to compose the new ordinance this year.
"I think Mr. Osborne's concerns were taken seriously and the planning commission did set a goal to develop an ordinance," she said.
Osborne said he is "somewhat concerned" that an ordinance addressing light pollution has not yet been enacted.
Light-meter readings have been taken this year in various locations and meetings have been set up to work on a joint ordinance, Bradley said.
"Personally, I think it's a good idea to reduce some of the very bright lights."
CMU is aware of this problem but still has unshielded lights, Osborne said.
"(The lights) not only light the sidewalk but everything else too," he said. "It's actually sort of annoying when you drive. Glare is really the problem."
Osborne said the university has made efforts to communicate with the physics department when new buildings are built bringing new lights to campus.
"In general, they've been very supportive of these efforts," he said.
Lights on campus hinder astronomy students and other astronomers in the community when they are trying to observe the stars, he said.
"I do know that the planning commission has on their agenda a light pollution kind of ordinance," said Assistant City Manager Kathie Grinzinger, but she did not know the nature of the regulations may be included in the ordinance.
Tony Kulick, director of Community Development and Planning, could not be reached for comment.
