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What is Light Pollution?

Bijlage 4

by Marie Lenahan, Demand Media

The light pollution in Las Vegas is so strong the city is visible from space (see References 5).

The night sky in the country looks remarkably different than the sky view near a city. More stars are visible and brighter, and in some remote areas, the Milky Way galaxy extends across the sky from east to west. In contrast, lights in the city illuminate night skies, hiding many of the stars. Outdoor lighting that interferes with the natural landscape is called light pollution. As urban areas grow, so does this type of pollution. Learn about the impact of light pollution and follow through with ways to reduce excess lighting in your neighborhood. Definition Light pollution occurs when artificial light intrudes on the nighttime setting. This phenomenon is pronounced around urban centers, where city lights diminish the view of stars and planets. A satellite view at night shows light pollution as glowing regions around urban areas. In addition to brightened skies around cities, light pollution also refers to any outdoor light that creates glare and interferes with the natural night environment. The National Park Service refers to a single source of light that intrudes on the night as “light trespass.” (See References 3)

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