Dark Sky Communities Selux

More than light
Dark Sky Communities

DarkSky Application Guide

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, and as a result for the well-being of human beings, animals, and plants.

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

The night sky, with its pitch-black canvas and glistening stars, is much more than just a backdrop for urban lighting design. A dark, starry night is essential for the natural rhythms and well-being of humans, animals, and plants.

Light significantly influences the emotions, behaviors, and life cycles of various species, including nocturnal creatures like bats, owls, and migratory birds. The transition from daylight to darkness, moonlight, and starlight plays a crucial role in their activities.

For instance, bats rely on echolocation to hunt exclusively at night, while migratory birds navigate their passages using the stars. Aquatic insects also time the hatching of their larvae to coincide with the cover of darkness on the water.

Useful: Use light only if it is needed

Targeted: Direct light so it falls only where it is needed

Low Level: Light should be no brighter than necessary

Controlled: Use light only when it is needed

Warm-Colored: Use warmer color lights where possible

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.

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

The lower the color 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 < 2700K or Amber color tone.

Specially developed optics with a precise downward beam enable an even more targeted focus. This means that no direct light enters the plane above the horizon. As a result, the star-studded black night sky, that is so crucial to people, animals, and plants is well maintained.

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.

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 design our luminaires to consider any light that might hit their pole, and work to reduce it.

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 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 elegance, 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