Astronomers Encourage Cities to Shield Outdoor Lighting
Our home galaxy, the Milky Way -- that iconic stream of stars coursing across the night sky -- cannot be seen by one-third of humanity and 80 percent of Americans. As the artificial glow from towns and cities increases every year, and starry nights become unfamiliar to many, astronomers and dark-sky advocates are pushing to reduce light pollution -- starting with changes to outdoor lighting. The American Astronomical Society passed a resolution at their annual meeting in Grapevine, Texas this…