The Loss of the Milky Way: A Century of Light Pollution


For over 100,000 years, humans have gazed at the night sky, marveling at the stars and the Milky Way galaxy. This celestial sight has been a source of wonder and inspiration for cultures worldwide, connecting us to the vastness of the universe.

However, light pollution has dimmed this view for nearly 3 billion people, severing their link to the cosmos and the sense of deep time it embodies. Just a century ago, even major cities could still witness the beauty of the Milky Way and the twinkling stars scattered across the sky.

So, what led to this loss, and how can we restore the darkness of the night sky? Light pollution, caused by the upward spill of artificial light, is the primary culprit. Factors like poor lighting design, inefficient fixtures, and unnecessary illumination have fueled the rapid growth of light pollution in urban areas.

Streetlights contribute significantly to light pollution, accounting for 20% to 50% of the total in a city. Other sources include floodlights from sports venues, billboards, and indoor and outdoor lighting in residential areas. To combat this issue and bring back the brilliance of the night sky, efforts must be made to reduce light pollution and promote responsible lighting practices.

Recommended news

OnePlus Buds Pro 3: Design and Pricing Details Unveiled

OnePlus fans are eagerly awaiting the launch of the much-anticipated OnePlus Buds Pro 3, and recent leaks have provided some exciting insights into what to expect from the upcoming wireless earbuds.

According to tipster Yogesh Brar, the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 is set to offer a more premium...

Read more


Western Digital Unveils World's First 8TB SD Card and 16TB External SSD at Conference

Western Digital made waves at the 2024 Future of Memory and Storage Conference by unveiling the world's first 8TB SD card and a massive 16TB external SSD. The new 8TB SD card, featuring Secure Digital Ultra Capacity (SDUC), boasts lightning-fast transfer speeds of up to 100Mbps. This...

Read more


Australia Conducts First Test of Raytheon SM-6 Missile

Australia has achieved a significant milestone in its military capabilities by successfully test-firing a Raytheon SM-6 missile from a Navy ship for the first time. The HMAS Sydney conducted the test near Hawaii as part of the Pacific Dragon 2024 exercise, marking a crucial step in...

Read more


Remembering the Legacy of Susan Wojcicki: Former YouTube CEO Passes Away at 56

Former YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki, who was one of the first Google employees and a prominent figure in the tech industry, has passed away at the age of 56 after battling cancer for two years. Google CEO Sundar Pichai expressed his deep sadness at the loss of Wojcicki, highlighting her...

Read more


Sony's Astro Bot PS5 Controller Pre-Orders Sell Out Quickly

2024-08-10T01:57:10.394Z

The limited-edition Astro Bot DualSense controller for the PlayStation 5 has quickly sold out across most U.S. retailers within hours of going up for pre-order on August 9. While PS Direct still has limited stock available for pre-order, other major retailers like GameStop, Target, and...

Read more