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Earth Is Lit, And That's A Problem

Astronauts aboard the International Space Station took this image of southern Scandinavia lit up at night. A green aurora is visible over the horizon. NASA hide caption

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NASA

The Two-Way

Earth Is Lit, And That's A Problem

Over the last five years, global light pollution has increased nearly 10 percent, a new study shows, The fastest rise occurred in developing nations.

Earth Is Lit, And That's A Problem

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High-Tech Greenhouse Has Neighbors Throwing Shade Over Light Pollution

The lights inside LEF Farms' new greenhouse have replaced starry skies with a jarring and unnatural glow. Courtesy of Dennis Jakubowski hide caption

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Courtesy of Dennis Jakubowski

The Salt

High-Tech Greenhouse Has Neighbors Throwing Shade Over Light Pollution

New Hampshire Public Radio

LEF Farms is investing $10 million to grow gourmet lettuce indoors in New Hampshire. Neighbors say they support the idea of locally grown food, but worry that the lights may affect property values.

Light Pollution Hides Milky Way From 80 Percent Of North Americans, Atlas Shows

This view of North America as seen in Google Earth shows colored areas that denote levels of light pollution as detailed in the New World Atlas of Artificial Sky Brightness. Fabio Falchi et al./AAAS hide caption

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Fabio Falchi et al./AAAS

The Two-Way

Light Pollution Hides Milky Way From 80 Percent Of North Americans, Atlas Shows

More than 99 percent of the people living in the U.S. and Europe look up and see light-polluted skies, according to a new atlas of artificial night sky brightness.

Light Pollution Hides Milky Way From 80 Percent Of North Americans, Atlas Shows

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Oil Boom Means Sky Watchers Hoping for Starlight Just Get Stars, Lite

Flares and electric lights on oil well pads illuminate low-hanging clouds near Watford City, North Dakota. Andrew Cullen hide caption

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Andrew Cullen

Environment

Oil Boom Means Sky Watchers Hoping for Starlight Just Get Stars, Lite

Prairie Public Broadcasting

Light pollution has increased by 500 percent at Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota, thanks to nearby oil fields. Stargazers and oilmen are working together to find a solution.

Oil Boom Means Sky Watchers Hoping for Starlight Just Get Stars, Lite

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