Dark Sky Communities Selux

More than light
Dark Sky Communities

A pitch-black night sky with glistening stars is much more than just the perfect background for designing urban space using light. A Night Sky is important for natural rhythms too and as a result for the well-being of human beings, animals and plants.

Light influences both human and animal emotions and behaviour – including those of insects and generally nocturnal creatures such as bats, owls and migratory birds. As well as the shift from daylight to darkness, moonlight and starlight also play an important part.

Bats, for example, hunt only at night using echolocation. Migratory birds navigate their passage using the stars in the sky. On the water, insects hatch their larvae at night.

The IDA – International Dark-Sky Association, is based in the USA and has launched an award for cities that is aimed at preserving starry night skies. The designation “Dark Sky Community” is awarded to those municipalities and places which demonstrate particular dedication in relation to reducing light pollution.

With all our new products, we offer the following features aimed at reducing light pollution and taking into account the needs of animals and human beings, which can be implemented by cities and municipalities to meet the standards for certification as a Dark Sky Community.

Specially developed optics with a precise downward beam enable an even more targeted focus. This means that no direct light components are radiated above the horizontal plane of a luminaire. And the star-studded inky black night sky so crucial to people, animals and plants is maintained.

The composition of light is a determining factor as we journey towards sustainable lighting. Living organisms react highly sensitively to spectral compositions of electromagnetic radiation in the visible range, many of them to blue light in particular. The spectrum used should therefore minimise short-wave light (blue/violet) as much as possible. The recommendation is to install street lights with maximum 3000K.

The lower the colour temperature, the more warm tones the light will have, and the less impact it will thus have on the animal kingdom. Wherever lighting and urban development impinge on the habitat of sensitive or endangered animals, the recommendation is to use maximum 2 400K or the extremely warm »PC Amber« colour tone. We offer corresponding light colours as standard in our new product ranges.

Light should be no brighter than it needs to be. Where possible, normative specifications should not be exceeded. Illuminated surfaces also play a role: some materials reflect more light back into the night sky than others. Every last detail counts here — we ensure that our luminaires do not light up their poles as well, for example.

Light that adapts to the circumstances: it’s there when you need it and not when you don’t. Lighting should be operational according to use. Motion sensors or timer controls ensure light is provided at the right time, and is otherwise dimmed or switched off completely. In the dead of night, this helps to avoid unnecessary light emissions. Motion sensors detect pedestrians, vehicles, or passing bicycles and adjust the brightness, ensuring that light is available at the right time.

Projection
Indirect lighting over surfaces such as façades enables atmospheric effects and avoids excessive radiation from the directional light.

Precision floodlight
Surfaces that are illuminated with sharp contours also offer the possibility of illuminating buildings without generating too much stray light. Entrances, signs and architectural highlights thus remain safely and efficiently illuminated at night.

Grazing light
Grazing light as a further option for indirect light can, if directed clearly downwards, provide visual accents while being applied directly to the relevant surface - and avoid light pollution in the process.

Shielded lighting
Luminaires that are well shielded avoid radiation in the direction of the night sky. Suitable housing shapes can be found for functional but also decorative applications.

Special optics
To visually achieve the appearance of elegantly free-radiating luminaires, suitable special optics that direct the light without a visible housing can be used.

Our products - design accents during the day, magic for the city at night under a sky full of stars