Astronomy club hopeful for solution to greenhouse lights

Members of the Medicine Hat Astronomy Club read with interest the articles in the Medicine Hat News regarding the light pollution emitted from the greenhouses within the county. We were glad that this issue was raised as this is a problem for our club, and it has recently become more of an issue with the expansion of the greenhouse just outside of Medicine Hat along Highway 3.

Our club location, which is based at the Sunridge Observatory just outside of Seven Persons, was originally selected because it was in a rural area and away from the lights of the city more than 30 years ago. As Medicine Hat and the surrounding area has grown, more people have moved into the area which is unavoidable but for the most part it is still fairly dark and allows us and the public to enjoy our hobby and learn about space science.

However, the greenhouses and the further expansion of their operation have put a damper on our location. I am fairly new to the club, but I understand there has always been a slight glow from lights of Medicine Hat, but with the greenhouses, more than 25 per cent of the sky has now become washed out from their light. It has really affected the ability to see objects in the sky. We can’t move our location, but we hope that we can do something about the lights from the greenhouses.

We are hopeful that in discussions about this issue at upcoming meetings, a solution can be found for this issue; whether it be through the use of blackout curtains or even switching lighting methods, such as using LED bulbs that are directed downwards. Our club members would appreciate this, as would the members of the public who come out and share our love of astronomy with us.

Chris Kohlman Medicine Hat

(The writer is from the Medicine Hat Astronomy Club.)