DARKSKY STRUCTURA

What is Dark Sky lighting, and why is it important?

Dark Sky lighting refers to outdoor lighting designed to minimize light pollution, which can disrupt ecosystems, waste energy, and obscure the beauty of the night sky. It adheres to guidelines set by organizations, like the DarkSky International  (IDA), and aims to ensure that artificial light is directed where it's needed—reducing glare and preventing excess light from spilling into unintended areas like the sky. This concept promotes environmental sustainability, improves visibility at night, and allows us to experience the wonders of stargazing.

What are the key principles of Dark Sky lighting?

Dark Sky lighting follows these fundamental principles:

Purpose: All lights should have a purpose and should be no brighter than necessary.

Shielded Fixtures: Light fixtures are fully shielded to direct light downward only where it is needed instead of upward or sideways.

Low Luminosity: Using just the right amount of light to avoid unnecessary brightness or over-illumination.

Warm Light Colors: Employing warmer tones of 3000K or warmer and 590nm amber, which are less likely to cause glare and less harmful to nocturnal animals.

Timers and Sensors: Incorporating tools to reduce lighting duration and intensity when artificial light is not needed.

What are the benefits of adopting Dark Sky lighting?

Dark Sky lighting has numerous advantages, including:

Environmental Protection: It reduces harm to wildlife, particularly nocturnal species that depend on natural darkness to thrive and animals that use the moon to guide them, like sea turtle hatchlings.

Energy Efficiency: Properly designed lighting consumes less electricity and saves money over time.

Better Human Health: Excessive artificial light, especially in the cooler temperature range, can disrupt human circadian rhythms; using appropriate lighting can help mitigate this issue.

Enhanced Nighttime Visibility: Without glare and light pollution, pedestrians and drivers benefit from clearer, safer nighttime environments.

Stargazing Opportunities: By controlling light pollution, we preserve the natural beauty of the night sky, enabling astronomers and hobbyists to observe celestial wonders.

Are Structura products Dark Sky compliant?

Structura is a proud supporter of Dark Sky lighting with a focus on new product having an option for DarkSky Certified and adjusting older products to meet the criteria. Currently, Structura has multiple pole-mounted luminaires, a high-performance bollard, and several cylindrical pendants certified by DarkSky International with more to come.