Light pollution is also bad for your health, it affects more than just astronomy.
The dissappearance of the Milky Way
Less than 100 years ago, everyone on Earth could look up at the night sky and see a stunning sight of the Milky Way. With today's light pollution, children across the globe will never experience the night sky in this way where they live. The widespread use of artificial light not only affects our view of the night sky, but also our environment and our health.
Light Pollution's affect on Human Health
What is light pollution?
Also known as luminous pollution, light pollution is the excessive artificial light created by humans on Earth. This light is misdirected and obtrusive in nature because it serves no useful purpose. Artificial lighting should be concentrated towards the ground and not up into space. It is the alteration of natural light levels in the outdoor environment.
Light pollution is a major side effect of urbanization, and is linked to several negative health issues including insomnia. Not only that, but it affects the lives of animals on Earth as well. This sprawling epidemic of light disrupts ecosystems.
Light pollution spoils aesthetic environments. According to the World Atlas of Artifical Night Sky Brightness, 80% of the world population lives under skyglow.
What this means for Astronomy
For observers in the city, light pollution competes with starlight in the night sky. It interferes with astronomical observatories that were built before such levels of light pollution existed. The David Dunlap observatory in Richmond Hill, Ontario is an example of an observatory surrounded in light pollution.
The excessive light produced by growing cities intrudes on areas that would otherwise have a natural low-light setting. The intense glow from major cities like Toronto, Ontario can be seen for 100 miles in every direction.
Toronto Light Pollution Map
What contributes to Light Pollution?
- Building exterior lighting
- Interior Lighting
- Advertising
- Commercial Properties
- Offices
- Factories
- Streetlights