Table of Contents
Brighter is Not Always Better
Star Light, Star Bright

Star Light, Star Bright

Ruud Lighting partners with the International Dark Sky Association (IDA) to protect our night sky

Light pollution created by fixtures with poor light control or the overabundance of outdoor lighting is becoming a serious problem. Glare, light trespass, visual clutter, artificial light sky glow and energy waste are all considered forms of light pollution.

Image by Craig Mayhew and Robert Simmon, NASA GSFC. Based on data from the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program

The IDA, established in 1988, works to educate the world on the adverse effects of excessive nighttime lighting. The main goals of IDA are to stop light pollution, raise awareness and educate lighting manufacturers on the value of quality outdoor lighting.

The IDA suggests four simple ways to achieve acceptable nighttime lighting:

1. Use lighting only where it’s needed
2. Use only the amount of light that’s needed to see people and objects clearly
3. Turn lights off when they are not needed
4. Use fixtures approved by IDA

The IDA Fixture Seal of Approval program (FSA) provides manufacturers with third-party evaluation of photometric data and tests fixtures for glare, light trespass and other forms of light pollution. The fixture receives the FSA seal of approval once it successfully passes the evaluation process.

Ruud Lighting designs lighting products that control light pollution and protect our night sky. Many of our fixtures use full cutoff optical systems and are approved by IDA such as:
Click on any of the images to find out more about these Ruud Lighting products.

With the combined efforts of IDA and responsible lighting manufacturers, we can continue to preserve our night sky for future generations.

For more information on IDA and ways you can reduce light pollution in your area, visit www.darksky.org or take a look at the IDA’s Lighting Code Handbook.