Vengeance Is Sweet

[solissydney]

I have come up with a possible solution to neighbours, and others, who shine their lights onto you and your scope at night. Hang, or attach a mirror somewhere secure, and reflect the light back onto the offenders property, or windows. The question remains as to what size mirror is best suited, shaving mirror, or larger in size ? Would it work? Would a flat mirror be suitable?
What do you think about the idea? Has anyone tried it before?

[Zuts]

Good idea :), but i think they would just call the police :(.

Basically they are committing an unthinking annoyance while you are doing something calculated to course offense.

Also its not a good way to get on with the neighbours.

My neighbour is typical. They always forget and leave the light on. During the recent lunar eclipse they came out to watch. I had my nexstar 11 set up in my back yard and had the lights on for a few minutes while i tried to get the camera attached.

They asked me to turn the lights off even though they could see what i was doing............

go figure

Paul

[skwinty]

Hi
Perhaps you should invite them over to have a look through the telescope and ask them nicely to do something about their lights.
You might even get to like them (LOL)
Regards
Steve

[solissydney]

Hi, I really didn't have in mind nice neighbours. Rather, the unkind one.
Also, I am interested in the technical aspect of using a flat mirror to return, for instance, the light from a cheap and overly bright 'in-security light'. One thing is to reflect sunlight, but from which kind of fixture would it be possible to reflect light back.There are light and lights, some have a narrow beam, other have a big spread. Then there is distance to take into consideration.

[qld]

for some body who preaches to others about being irresponsible and inconsiderate of others the man from solis should go and take a cold shower and practice what he preaches rather than incite a neighbour to likewise be as stupid.......solliss has gone down in my little black book as just another winging minority hiding behind a plethera of slogans qld

[RB]

I'm hoping this thread is 'tongue in cheek' and not a serious attempt at a solution to this common problem.

[solissydney]

How refreshing. I was looking for a discussion on the possibility of using mirrors to return a neighbour's light. Any input on the other half of my e-mail?

[Starkler]

I doubt a mirror would do anything more than give a non too subtle hint. It certainly wouldn't directly bother someone who's intention is to light up their property.

If you are going to the trouble to erect something to counter this problem, may i suggest a screen to block out the offending light?

My next door neighbour leaves his rear light light on every night for the dog :screwy: , but will cooperative and turn the light off when asked. Its just a pain to have to call him to ask, esp if its getting late when i choose to observe. I might just make a screen anyway.

[qld]

i bet solis lives next to the golden arches

[solissydney]

The subject was meant to be a general one.
I have no personal problems with obtrusive lighting.

[spearo]

I don't know enough about the physics to offer very helpful advice regarding the reflection of light that would be sufficient for for the source to notice, I suspect only flat would reflect suffcient light over a distance as any parabolism would affect the focal point and cause dispersion of light.

I can say that I had a similar problem and did what Steve suggests, invited the neighbours and eventually just had to call a few times.
Ultimately though I just built a wind/light screen around the scope (which I used to leave setup outside covered with tarps.

I now have a homebuilt observatory which pretty much solves all the issues.

The neighbours now call me to see when they can come over again to have a look at the stars! (no joke)
frank