Editing Lighthouse (section)

====Light characteristics====
{{see also|Light characteristic}}
In any of these designs an observer, rather than seeing a continuous weak light, sees a brighter light during short time intervals. These instants of bright light are arranged to create a [[light characteristic]] or pattern specific to a lighthouse.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Aids To Navigation Abbreviations |url=http://www.uscgboating.org/safety/aton/abbreviations.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080925160404/http://www.uscgboating.org/safety/aton/abbreviations.htm |archive-date=September 25, 2008}}</ref> For example, the [[Scheveningen Lighthouse]] flashes are alternately 2.5 and 7.5&nbsp;seconds. Some lights have sectors of a particular color (usually formed by colored panes in the lantern) to distinguish safe water areas from dangerous shoals. Modern lighthouses often have unique reflectors or [[Radar beacon|racon transponders]] so the radar signature of the light is also unique.