Stefan Gotthold (45), head of the Archenhold observatory, advocates turning off the lights Photo: Olaf Selchow
By Isabel Pancake
Many Berliners are angry, but astronomers are happy. In the future, the light will be switched off in more than 200 public buildings.
This should not only save electricity, there is also less light pollution in the capital. And that can be noticeable when you look at the stars.
“In some places you can probably see the stars better now. Roughly in Mitte, where most of the public buildings are and are no longer illuminated,” says Stefan Gotthold (45), head of the Archenhold observatory in Treptow.
The Archenhold Observatory in Alt-Treptow Photo: Olaf Selchow
The astronomer would generally like it if Berlin was a little less illuminated… He says to the BZ: “Why does an entire department store have to be illuminated at two o’clock in the morning when it’s closed?”
Less light pollution has even more advantages: animals would be less disturbed in their day-night rhythm, and Berliners could possibly sleep better again.
Because: “When it’s darker in the city, we release hormones that make us tired in the evening. And in the morning, when it gets light, we wake up better.”
Switching off the lighting in public buildings is only slightly noticeable. Gotthold: “Traffic lights, street lighting and apartment lighting are still on and provide plenty of light.”