I have located a very useful and really neat site for amateur astronomers that must travel away from their home base to observe under dark skies, ahem, preferably blackskies. This site, which aids in finding locations near you that are the darkest, and the few links that I provide here provide essential information on the effects of light pollution in the United States and in other areas of the world. I urge everyone who has an interest in astronomy and preserving our global night time environment to seriously consider joining, whether as an individual or as a group, the IDA - International Dark-Sky Association. I have recently myself become a member, and living where I do, in the San Francisco Bay Area, I am well aware of the extremely detrimental effects run-away light pollution has brought to our 'progressive' times and night skies.
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The first picture below is a satellite image taken in
1992, showing the extent of light pollution at that time. 
This next image is a color-coded experimental light
pollution modeling seven-level image, courtesy of Mr. Steve Albers, NOAA, and has been
reproduced here to further show the extent of the proliferation of mainly unshielded
lighting. There is quite a story behind the continuing development and calibration
of this model, and it can all be found at one of Mr. Albers NOAA web pages dealing with
light pollution. I urge you to visit the linked sites and learn more about what each
one of us can help accomplish in the battle against losing our night skies. 
http://www.blackskies.org
starhaven@palominas.com
11/23/97
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