DarkSky Approved Luminaires | A Complete Overview

Having a non-polluted night sky will benefit humans, wildlife, and communities. When choosing your outdoor lights, various factors must be considered to eliminate the risk of light pollution. This comprehensive guide explains the benefits of lowering light pollution and the luminaire certifications DarkSky International has established. 

What is DarkSky International?

DarkSky International is an organization that works to reduce light pollution and increase the visibility of the night sky with specific lighting regulations and codes. It has over 200 certified locations in 22 countries and is still growing. Along with certified locations, DarkSky International has also implemented DarkSky Approved Lighting for luminaires or installations that support their initiatives. Their regulations for lighting include verifying that the fixtures or installation will minimize light pollution. They also encourage energy-efficient lighting to reduce communities’ carbon footprint. 

What Are the DarkSky General Lighting Principles? 

DarkSky has its Five Principles for Responsible Outdoor Lighting that they recommend outdoor lighting fixtures should follow. 

1. Only install when necessary. Lighting should only be installed where there is a reason for it. Too many light fixtures installed together can cause glare or clutter, which can be distracting and/or confusing to humans and wildlife.  

2. Focused downward light. Uncontrolled light spread can shine in all directions and spill onto people’s properties or reduce the visibility of the night sky, disorienting wildlife that use the moon and stars to help navigate. Add glare shields to light fixtures for focused lighting only where necessary. 

3. Adequate lumens. The lights should only emit enough lumens to light the intended area sufficiently.

4. Motion sensors and photocells. Lights should only be on when necessary. Use motion sensors or photocells with your lights to ensure they only power on when needed.  

5. Warm CCT. Use a warmer CCT (3000K or lower) when possible. This is less likely to cause eye strain or glare than a cool, blue-toned CCT (4000K+).  

What Makes A Fixture Dark Sky Approved? 

Ensure the location meets the luminaire criteria based on the lighting's purpose. The requirements differ for installing residential, commercial, pedestrian comfort, and sea turtle-sensitive luminaires. 

1. Residential luminaires are for single-family residences or for residences with four or fewer connected units or townhomes. 

2. Commercial luminaires include various areas, such as commercial or industrial businesses, heavily trafficked areas, and other outdoor public spaces, such as roads and crosswalks. 

3. Pedestrian comfort luminaries refer to lights with lower lumens and strict beam angles that reduce pedestrian eyestrain or discomfort. 

4. Sea turtle sensitive luminaries must be constructed with shields and have a wavelength of at least 560 nm to be undetectable by wildlife and protect their habitats.

For a light fixture to be considered Dark Sky Approved, it must meet the following criteria:

CCT: All categories except Sea Turtle Sensitive Luminaries should have a CCT of 3000K or less (Sea Turtle Sensitive Luminaires are limited to wavelengths of 560 nm or above).

Direct Light Downwards: Each category will have specific requirements for how many lumens can be emitted above nadir. Nadir refers to light directly vertical from the light source. A light straight down from the fixture will be at 0 degrees. The Nadir requirements ensure the fixtures reduce uplight and are parallel to the ground.

• Residential Luminaires require that only 50 lumens or less can be emitted from 90 to 180° above nadir. The total lumen output maximum is 1,000 lumens. 
• Commercial Luminaires allow fixtures with 1,000 or fewer lumens to emit 80 to 90° above nadir. For luminaires with greater than 1,000 lumens, there should be no more than 50 lumens above nadir and no more than 0.5% of the total lumen output emitted. 
• For Pedestrian Comfort Luminaires with a total lumen output of 1,000 or less, only 5 lumens should be emitted at 90 to 180° above nadir. However, fixtures emitting greater than 1,000 lumens should release no more than 0.5% of the total lumen output, and a maximum of 50 lumens can be released above nadir. Fixtures should not have a lumen output greater than 10,000. 
• Sea Turtle Sensitive Luminaires should emit no lumens between 90 and 180° above nadir, and the total output should not exceed 4,000 lumens. 

Reduce Uplight: Commercial, Pedestrian Comfort, and Sea Turtle Sensitive Luminaires will restrict the light's angle to reduce upward light spread.

• Commercial requirements include that fixtures featuring a Type V or Type VS distribution pattern emit no more than 5% of the total lumen output. If the fixture has other lumen outputs, only 3% or less of the total lumen output should be emitted. 

• Pedestrian Comfort and Sea Turtle Sensitive both require that only 2% or less of a total lumen output should be released between 80 to 90° above the nadir. 35% or less should be emitted between 60 to 80° above the nadir. The vertical angle of the candelas shouldn’t be higher than 68° above nadir.

Shielding: Commercial lights should have a shielding feature available for pole-mounted area, roadway, parking lot, and street fixtures.

Dimmability: All luminaires must be dimmable to 10% or less of the total light output.

Fully cutoff: Fixtures designed to be fully cutoff will ensure the light is reflected downwards, minimizing the potential of upward light spread. 

What Dark Sky Friendly Products Do We Have?

The following outdoor light fixtures are considered to be Dark Sky Friendly, with features including warm CCT, fully cutoff designs, glare shields, dimmability, and more to reduce light pollution. 

Our Dark Sky Friendly lights will feature the following logo:

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Check out our Dark Sky-Friendly lights today to reduce light pollution in your community. For more product information, contact our product support specialists by calling 866-590-3533 or by filling out our contact form.