Credit: NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center Scientific Visualization Studio

After posting my "Thoughts on Light Pollution and Light Nuisance" article, I decided to start this "Lighting Hall of Shame" page. I will post "winners" on this page as I take photographs of lighting, day or night, that deserve to be honored here. If you see lighting that should be honored, send a photograph of it to Lighting Hall of Shame. In your email message, describe whether the lighting is residential, commercial, or government. Please do not include the neighbor's name or address but do include the business name or government agency name. Submittals will be anonymously posted here.

Most Shameful
This award goes to the earth's northern hemisphere, as pictured in the two satellite images above. Just think of the reduced energy consumption and lower costs that would occur if those lights were all turned off or made "night sky friendly".

Residential Awards
Here are photos of lighting in use by some of my neighbors. Fortunately, in my area, these types of lighting displays are rare. These three lights directly and negatively impact my observing, and therefore are not only "light pollution", but are "light nuisance".

Blindingly bright floodlights aimed horizontally and not shielded.
Fortunately, they are turned on infrequently. Unfortunately, sometimes the lights get left on all day and night.


Bright "personal streetlight" aimed downward but inadequately shielded and so lights up the entire hill.
I have yet to speak to anyone who likes this.


Bright floodlight aimed somewhat downward but not shielded.
Seems to be on on sensor but gets turned on by passing vehicles and stays on for hours at times.

Commerical Awards
Businesses who display improper lighting will be honored here.

A local restaurant has two floodlights (top of the pole on the right) turned on day and night.
They should turn them off and pass the savings on to their customers.

A local Circle K has two floodlights (one on the right near the roof in the photo) turned on day and night.
Too bad they won't turn them off and pass the savings on to their customers.

Government Awards
What government entity will be the first to be honored?

Go to the Light Pollution page.

Go to the ETX Home Page.

Go to the Cassiopeia Observatory Site.