Palomar Observatory and light pollution

Light pollution is not a type of pollution I've ever heard about before. Apparently it's a big deal when you are trying to use a telescope to see stars and other objects in the sky. At the Palomar Observatory, light pollution is making it difficult for astronomers to do their work.

Nicholson said he worries that Palomar Observatory might suffer the same fate as the Mount Wilson Observatory in Los Angeles. In the mid-1980s, the observatory stopped studying faraway galaxies in favor of closer, brighter stars because light pollution had become so bad.

It sounds like Denny's is one of the worst offenders and they don't care too much about it.

As part of a presentation he gave to Riverside County planning officials earlier this year, Garrett showed pictures of some businesses he thought used excessive lighting.

One of them was the Denny's restaurant in Temecula, which, Garrett said, uses 14 high-intensity, wide-angle floodlights to illuminate its roof.

There's no reason to light up the roof "unless you expect customers to land on the roof," he said.

Debbie Atkins, a Denny's spokeswoman, said the lights help draw attention to the business, which is open 24 hours. It also enhances safety and security, she said.

How about some better food as a way to draw attention to the business?