Recently moved to a new property with a sodium lamp directly shining in to my yard. I have a CLS filter but i have a feeling its not going to be enough. I can maybe try narrowband with my 1600mc-c but it being an osc, it'll need to be considerably longer exposures. Anyways just wondering what my alternatives are. I already have planetary set up sorted as a backup but that only scratches maybe 20% of my astrophotography itches.
Call your council and speak to them. Certain councils are responsible for the street / road lighting (or the elec. provider if you're unlucky). Tell them the glare comes in to your home and is disturbing. They may be able to fit a light shield.
That should be on anyone's list when moving. What it like at night? You can't always tell in the daylight, say that a neighbor has A380 landing lights that he turns on at night, or his dog triggers the security light sensor as he wanders around. Sadly too late now, all you can do is find a sodium blocking filter, but it could be worse, it could be bright white broad spectrum LED.
The sodium light should be easy enough to filter, but I imagine the light is disturbing your sleep (yes is the correct answer ) so the council may be cooperative in getting a shield fitted.
I came from a really terrific dark site...to my South the closest light was at Grafton a 100 klm road trip and not much less as the crow flies.
I never thought to bother doing any astronomy is the city ..I gave it up.
But last year I decided to have a go.
There is a street light at eye level on the other side of the road and I only get one hour exposure because of trees.
But its not so bad and I think by not letting the light upset me in any way whatsoever helped more than anything...the guy next door arived home an bathed me in his head lights whilst photographing the horse head...no worries, did not growl under my breath or sneek in later and let down his tires...and there is yhe auto light on the other side that goes on if a possum run up the tree between our houses...no problem.
And so I am enjoying every minute and frankly surprised at what I can image under what I once classed conditions so bad that there was no hope...dont let the difficulties upset you or put you off...there will always be something better and also something worse.
I also use a baffled extention tube on my scopes (8 inch not yet ) like you see on the Hubble Space telescope so even with the scope bathed in the street light I minimise the light that can get down the tube.
I would definitely be playing the sleep disturbance card with local council to see what they can do to assist. As an alternative, is there a way of setting up a light shield of sorts to place your rig behind in shadow? Not sure how much it would help - but worth considering depending on how high that light is. Why don't you upload a pic of the situation in daylight from your yard.
I'll have a go with the cls when the CLOUDS GO AWAY. fingers crossed. Funny thing is that the light does go in to my room where i have no curtains or blinds (being a porch glass door) but I'm a heavy sleeper that can sleep pretty much everywhere. but on the hush hush i can probably get away with complaining to the council anyways aha
The sodium light should be easy enough to filter, but I imagine the light is disturbing your sleep (yes is the correct answer ) so the council may be cooperative in getting a shield fitted.
They put a shield around a bright light where I live ..a number of people complained how bright it was ..surely as Tony mentions they will listen with a sympathetic ear , and it does disturb your sleep as well... dosen't it!
PS: MY Astronomik CLS filter does a sterling job when Im in the City.
bigjoe.
Last edited by bigjoe; 01-02-2018 at 10:19 PM.
Reason: Add
Hang on, if the OP knew of that light in the first place, why complain? Did he not check out the area first at night, before buying? It's like those who buy into an area and complain of a bad smell from a factory or oil refinery, that's been there for decades, when there were NO houses, and complain? In the OP's case, just get the light shielded by Council, and they will bill you.
I still live with my mum, she bought the property to live in once I move out. However, until I graduate from uni this will be my home. I didn't get to choose where I live. I'm trying to make the best out of a bad situation.
Not sure of the legality, however I have had luck in the past (~15 years ago), setting up a laser pointer at the light detector (if it has one fitted), assuming you don't get anywhere with the council.
Ive had some limited success imaging with the cls filter. As long as I'm aiming away from the lamp post i can minimise the gradient. Even though I only have an OSC camera, I'm thinking of investing in a Ha filter. So to close the thread. Theres still hope
) so the council may be cooperative in getting a shield fitted.
