Creating artificial moonlight is one of the most common wants for anyone who wants an artificial lighting system installed. It can work with nearly any property, be it industrial, commercial or residential. It can work for your property as well but it requires certain hardware so not every system can accomplish this. So, if you want the ambiance that comes with sitting underneath a full moon or want to illuminate something just a bit differently, creating artificial moonlight might be just what you are looking for.
Creating Artificial Moonlight
In many cases war is the mother of invention and with artificial moonlight that is the case. Allied soldiers in France and Italy during World War 2 used artificial lighting to illuminate the battlefields at night using mobile searchlights. The lights would be placed several thousand yards behind the lines creating the equivalent of roughly one half moon.
This lighting made movement and repairs behind the lines easier, made the clearing of minefields easier, made spotting German patrols easier and even because of the shadows made spotting German troops and installations easier. Despite that there were advantages for the Germans as well. Their own movements were easier and it prevented deserters since they could not slip away under the cover of darkness. Just further proof that nothing is perfect.
Artificial Moonlight In Modern Times
Of course your home has no issue with German soldiers but in more peaceful times the bluish/green hue and ambiance of a full moon has been found by many to be desirable. For some it is romantic and others find it relaxing. Colors that were plain during the day are more washed out creating a different vibe and that may be just the ambiance you want to create on your property.
Of course moonlight is not always available. The skies can be cloudy blocking the moonlight and ruining the mood. Don’t forget as well that the moon has different phases as well and the lighting changes from night to night. That does not have to be so. Moonlight can be created artificially.
Color Temperature
Creating the bluish hue is the key to creating artificial moonlight. To do so requires the right bulb, a 4100K bulb. Many bulbs have a hotter color but a lower color temperature and for the desired effect these bulbs will not work. A cooler color temperature is needed and the blue/green hue that simulates moonlight can be had with a 4100K bulb.
What Makes Moonlight Blue?
Moonlight appears to be blue because of what is known as the Purkinje Effect. During the day colors are distinct thanks to the abundance of light that comes from the Sun. During the night though the darkness and limited light that comes from the moon changes a human’s color perception.
With the Purkinje Effect a lot of light in different wavelengths hit the receptors in the back of the eye and our brains interpret them as different colors. When a human is in the darkness they become colorblind. There is less light and our eyes use different receptors that are good at detecting light but not as good at detecting colors. This makes the eye more sensitive to blue light.
Artificial moonlight uses the Purkinje Effect.
More Than Just Light
To truly create artificial moonlight more than just a certain bulb is needed. One brief observation of the moon will tell you that moonlight needs to come from above. This can be done by downlighting, or placing lights as high up as possible, whether it is on other landscape features or placed in something high like a tree. These lights also needs to have a wide spread to cover a wide area.
These fixtures also need to reduce glare and make sure that the light is completely directed down towards the ground. If you want artificial moonlight you don’t want to illuminate the trees after all.
Where Can Artificial Moonlight Work?
Artificial moonlight can be created nearly anywhere. It is great for a backyard patio or any outdoor seating or walking area, perfect for after the kids have gone to bed. It can create an almost otherworldly effect in a garden, just don’t forget to add a few garden gnomes. Artificial moonlight can also make a feature on your property look different when the sun goes down. It can also create a different ambiance for a restaurant or social space or just a place to give your overnight workers a place to relax and unwind for a few minutes.
Let The Pros Install A System
As with any landscape lighting system it is best to let the professionals handle the installation. Resort Lighting will come to your property to determine the proper location for lighting since every property is unique. We will then handle the installation and that includes placing the lighting fixtures where they need to go.
If you live on Long Island and would like a landscape lighting system that includes artificial moonlight Resort Lighting should be your first call. After your system is installed we hope that you will raise a toast to us as you enjoy the ambiance basking in the moonlight.
