Light Pollution and Stellar Observation

Urban light pollution has become a — select —marginaloptionaldecorativesignificant obstacle for astronomers attempting to observe faint celestial objects. Artificial lighting from cities scatters into the atmosphere, creating a luminous glow that — select —enlargesstabilisesobscuresproduces stars and nebulae that would otherwise be visible to the naked eye. Professional observatories are therefore — select —imaginedconstructedborrowedpurchased at high altitudes in remote locations, where atmospheric interference is minimal. This growing problem has also prompted campaigns to encourage cities to adopt — select —shieldedflavouredprintedwoven lighting fixtures that direct illumination downward rather than into the sky.