Wednesday, August 13, 2025

Light Pollution Poses Challenges for Observatories, Hindering Astronomical Research

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Observatories worldwide are increasingly challenged by light pollution, which hampers astronomical research by obscuring the visibility of faint celestial objects. With human-generated light rising by 10% annually, traditional observatories, often near urban centers, struggle to capture clear images of galaxies and star formations. While advanced telescopes like Hubble and James Webb can penetrate atmospheric interference, they cannot fully escape the effects of urban lighting. The shift to LED lighting, while energy-efficient, increases blue and green wavelengths—further complicating observations. As 80% of the global population loses sight of the Milky Way, experts emphasize the need to reclaim starlight as a universal right, highlighting the importance of dark skies for both scientific and personal enjoyment.

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