My town swapped out all the streetlights for LEDs and the difference in the night sky is wild

I live near a small town in Ohio, and about a year ago they replaced every old streetlight with these new LED ones that are supposed to be more efficient. I didn't think much of it until I was driving through at 2 AM last month and I could actually see stars in the sky above Main Street. Before, the old orange lights made everything hazy and you could barely make out the Big Dipper. It's not perfect, but I swear I can see at least 20 more stars than I used to from my front yard. They said the new lights use directional beams so less light goes straight up into the air. Has anyone else noticed this in their town, or is it just placebo effect on my part?

3 comments

3 Comments

jake98619d ago

Directional lighting is honestly one of those things where once you notice the difference, you see it everywhere. It's like when you realize newer car headlights don't blind you as much compared to the old ones.

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wendyg4319d ago

Yeah, that headlight thing is a perfect example. So here's what I'm wondering - does directional lighting actually change how you see the room's depth and shadows, or is it more about just not having that harsh glare? I feel like in my kitchen the old overhead light made everything look flat and washed out, but sometimes I miss being able to see into every corner without turning my head.

harperg7616d agoTop Commenter

Oh wow, I actually learned about this from a lighting designer who came into my office once. She said directional lighting does change your depth perception because shadows create contrast, and contrast is what your brain uses to judge distance and shape. So yeah, that flat, washed out feeling from your old overhead light is real, your eyes weren't getting those cues. But the tradeoff is you lose that even coverage, so you end up with dark spots in corners. That's why she recommended mixing both types in a kitchen, like directional lights over the counters and a softer overhead for general brightness.