Wednesday, July 30, 2025

Observatories Worldwide Face Growing Threat from Light Pollution, Hindering Astronomical Research

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Astronomers are increasingly alarmed by the rapid rise in artificial light pollution, with human-produced light in the night sky growing by an estimated 10% annually. This surge poses a significant threat to both ground-based and space telescopes, limiting their ability to observe faint celestial objects, particularly with advancements in LED technology that emit more light in problematic blue-green wavelengths. Observatories formerly situated in remote areas are now suffering from encroaching urban light, complicating their ability to conduct scientific research, including vital studies like mapping dark matter with new telescopes such as the Vera Rubin Observatory in Chile. As light pollution obscures the night sky, approximately 80% of the global population can no longer see the Milky Way, highlighting a broader concern for the preservation of our natural nighttime environment.

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