The Astronomical Society of Australia has been asked by Standards Australia to maintain a list of "designated" optical observatories deserving of protection from obtrusive lighting ("light pollution"). The ASA and invites nominations of permanent observatories that are judged to be valuable resources for (i) research, (ii) education and (iii) community use. |
CRITERIA á á | á á APPLICATION FORM á á | á á REPORT FORM á á | á á CONTACTS & LINKS á á | á á LIGHTING STANDARDS á á | á á DESIGNATED OBSERVATORY LIST |
Criteria for listing as a Designated Observatory
If you feel that your observatory represents a valuable astronomical resource, you may nominate it for consideration by the ASA using the Application Form. It is essential to make the strongest possible case by fully answering every question on the Application Form.
Essential criteria if a facility is to be considered are:
The current list of Designated Optical Observatories is included below. Clearly many valuable observatories are not currently listed, especially among the amateur community. The credibility of this public list demands a strict standard. Many amateur observing facilities will not be able to meet these criteria. This is not to doubt the value of their contribution to astronomy, but more likely recognises the limitations of their observing site and/or facilities. The final arbiter of whether any particular observatory is so designated will be the ASA. |
Status as a designated observatory is reviewed every 2 years. Renewal of designated status requires the submission of a short Report outlining the activities of the Observatory.
Contacts and Links
Further information on the ASA's list of designated Optical Observatories can be obtained from:
Dr M. Bessell
ASA Observatory List Coordinator
Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics
ANU Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics Mount Stromlo Observatory via Cotter Rd Weston Creek ACT Australia 2611
The ASA's representative on the relevant Standards Australia committee and an expert on the subject of obtrusive lighting is:
Reg.R.Wilson MIES
Lighting Analysis & Design
Independent Lighting Consultants
32 Carina Road,Turramurra, N.S.W. 2074
Phone & Fax - 61-2-9488 7078
Home Page - http://users.tpg.com.au/regrw
Further information on combating light pollution may be found on the homepage of the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA).
Also of interest:
- An email list is maintained by the Outdoor Lighting Reform Action Group (based in Canberra) on the topic of Light Pollution and Quality Lighting. Subscribe by sending an email to lights-request@anu.edu.au with
subscribe
in the body of the text.
- Sydney Outdoor Lighting Improvement Society (SOLIS)
- An extensive list of links related to light pollution can be found at Light Pollution Awareness Website.
Some Background on Australian Standards for Exterior Lighting
Standards Australia is the organisation which formulates, publishes and distributes documents covering a vast range subjects of which lighting and more specifically exterior lighting is one which is of interest to astronomers. An increasing number of Standards are becoming joint Australian and New Zealand documents.
It should be noted that Standards Australia is but one of the sources of documents used by planning bodies including local government (councils etc), State and Federal governments. Councils develop their own Development Control Plans (or similarly titled documents) which can be simple plans through to major and influential pieces of local legislation. State Planning department often co-ordinate local government activities as well as producing over-riding plans. A good example of the latter is the Orana Regional Environmental Plan #1 which is designed to protect the night skies around the Siding Spring Observatory. Federal Government plans include those issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
Standards Australia have a number of committees dealing with lighting and associated matters. The ASA is now represented on two committees - LG2 (Road Lighting) and LG10 (Obtrusive Lighting). We have requested membership of the Sports Lighting Committee but without success at present.
The main Road Lighting Standards which have an effect on skyglow are
- AS/NZS1158.1.1 - 1997 Road Lighting (Vehicular)
- AS/NZS1158.3.1-1999 Road Lighting (Pedestrian Area)
- AS1158.4 - 1984 Supplementary Lighting at Pedestrian Crossings (of lesser relevance).
- DO1-1 Mount Stromlo Observatory, Canberra
- DO1-2 Paul Wild Observatory, Narrabri
- DO1-3 Siding Spring Observatory, Coonabarabran
- DO2-1 Canopus Hill Observamtory (U. Tasmania site)
- DO2-2 Durham University Cosmic Ray Station (Narrabri NSW) (closing)
- DO2-3 La Trobe University Space Physics Field Station (Beveridge, Vic.)
- DO2-4 Mount Burnett (Monash U. site)
- DO2-5 Mount Kent Observatory (Joint USQ/UQ site near Toowoomba)
- DO2-6 Nepean Astronomy Centre (UWS)
- DO2-7 Perth Observatory (Bickley, WA)
- DO2-8 Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium (Toowong, Qld)
- DO2-9 Sydney Observatory (Observatory Hill, Sydney)
- DO2-10 Cangaroo International Astrophysical Observatory (Woomera, SA)
- DO3-1 Briars Astronomical Education Centre (Astronomical Society of Frankston, Vic.)
- DO3-2 Green Point Observatory (Sutherland Astronomical Society, Sydney)
- DO3-3 Koolang Observatory (Bucketty, near Newcastle NSW)
- DO3-4 Linden Observatory (Blue Mountains near Sydney)
- DO3-5 Mt Tarana Observatory - Mr Colin Bembrick (Napoleon Reef, Walang near Bathurst NSW)
- DO3-6 Sundown Observatory (Ballandean, Qld)
- DO3-7 Taylor Range Observatory - Mr Peter Anderson (The Gap, Qld)
- DO3-8 Mr Peter Williams, Private Observatory (Heathcote, Sydney)
- DO3-12 Mr Justin Tilbrook, Private Observatory (Penwortham, SA)
- DO3-13 Stockport Observatory (Astronomical Society of South Australia, near Adelaide)
- DO3-14 Grove Creek Observatory - Steven Williams (near Bathurst NSW)
- DO3-15 Darby's Falls Observatory - Mr Markham Monk (Darby's Falls, NSW)
- DO3-16 Barrier Reef Observatory (Hamilton Island, QLD) (star@whitsunday.net.au)
- DO3-17 Lakewood Observatory - Dr Peter Skilton (Frankston Vic)
- DO3-20 Burwood Club Observatory (Astronomical Society of Victoria)
- DO3-21 Heathcote Observatory (Astronomical Society of Victoria)
- DO3-22 Old Melbourne Observatory (Astronomical Society of Victoria)
- DO3-23 Canberra Planetarium and Observatory (Dickson ACT)
- DO3-24 Douglas Scrub Observatory (Astronomical Society of South Australia, near Adelaide)
- DO3-25 Cambroon Observatory - Mr R. Knight (Kenilworth, QLD)
- DO3-26 Ballaarat Municipal Observatory (Ballarat, Vic)
- DO3-27 Settler's Flat Lodge (Mongarlowe NSW)
- DO3-28 Boambee Observatory - Mr Win Howard (Boambee NSW)
- DO3-31 Bathurst Observatory (Bathurst NSW)
- DO3-32 Hazelwood Observatory (Hazelwood South VIC)
- DO3-34 The Heights School Observatory (Adelaide SA)
- DO3-35 Tetoora Observatory - Mr Rod Stubbings (Tetoora VIC)
- DO3-36 Muhlenberg College Observatory - Mr John Shobbrook (Coonbarabran NSW)
Both vehicular and pedestrian Standards have Upward Waste Light Ratio limits with intensity limits at the higher angles (80 & 90 deg) being specified in the Pedestrian Area document. This Standard also caters for minor roads (residential streets) so it is of considerable importance to the dark sky movement.
The Australian Standard AS4282 on "The Control of the Obtrusive Effects of Outdoor Lighting" was issued in October 1997 and provides guidelines for planning authorities to ameliorate the effects of light pollution in the vicinity of observatories. These guidelines are not mandatory, but may be drawn to the attention of a given planning authority by any concerned party. Acceptance as a designated observatory does not imply any form of legal status. Nevertheless, it should assist the observatory in presenting a stronger case for protection against obtrusive lighting.
The Sports Lighting suite of Standards is quite large as it covers a general document (most important) - AS2560 Sports Lighting - General Principles, with separate Standards covering the different sports but all are referred back to the main document for the important general requirements.
It should be noted that all Standards are not mandatory but any disregard for the requirements causing incidents which could lead to litigation obviously places the person or organisation responsible for the installation in a difficult situation. In the case of Road Lighting where State Government subsidies are provided for Councils etc. such installations must comply with all of the relevant Standards in order to receive subsidies.
Current List of Designated Observatories
- Major Facilities
University/Publicly funded Facilities
Significant Amateur Society/Private Observatories
The Public Observatories page of the ASA's Australian Astronomy web site has links to other Australian professional and amateur observatories.