The Moon as a Light Source: New sustainable ways of lighting up cities at night

Abstract

Abstract In our well-lit cities today, light pollution has become an increasing issue and serious threat of natural darkness and the view to a night sky full of stars. Darkness is not only a natural part of the day- and night-time cycle, but it is a basic need for all living creatures. And as light takes over in our night-time environment, this causes issues for both wildlife, nature, and human health. This project thematizes these issues by introducing new perspective on how to create a balanced relationship between human needs for lighting and natural needs for darkness. Through the case of Anholt island, the darkest place in Denmark, this is done by investigating human perception in low-level lighting and the Moon as a natural light source, that can be incorporated in a lighting design. The result is a dynamic lighting scheme, which incorporates the Moon’s cycle by turning the electrical light ‘on’ and ‘off’ depending on the significance of moonlight. This both in a functional and aesthetical way, which not only protects the darkness but enhances the atmosphere of it, while at the same time supporting human needs for lighting in an urban context.