As a private individual keenly interested in amateur astronomy I would like to provide some evidence to the Science and Technology Committee on the subject of light pollution. I live two miles to the south of the centre of Stockton-on-Tees most of my observing is done from my own back garden. I have just completed a course based on home observing run by Liverpool John Moore University.

  I consider that the effect of street lighting and other commercial lighting eg floodlighting of car showroom plots has a considerable and adverse effect on my ability to observe from home. Specific limitations and examples are as follows:

—  No deep sky objects at an altitude of below 20 degrees can be seen.

—  Bright but dispersed objects such as M51, M33 or M101 are never observable.

—  Limiting magnitude through 150 mm Newtonian telescope is only 11th magnitude. 14th magnitude (15 to 16 times fainter) should be achievable.

—  Faint constellations never visible to naked eye particularly when low down.

—  Limit to naked eye visibility of around 4th magnitude. The human eye is capable of seeing 5th magnitude.

—  Yellow background overwhelming faint objects in long photographic exposures—see example 20 minute exposure of the Pleiades (not printed).

—  Unshaded domestic exterior lighting and needlessly bright domestic security lighting make it difficult to maintain dark adaptation of the eyes through observing sessions.

  I find that the usage of lighting, particularly commercially is very wasteful in terms of energy. What is the point of operating illuminated signs advertising a commercial premises throughout the night when there are no potential customers to see?

  I believe that stricter control on lighting would have a considerable beneficial effect on Britain's achievement of target for reducing greenhouse emissions in addition to helping me enjoy my hobby.

28 April 2003