Light Pollution

     So I was talking with one of my friends, Isabel, and she  brought up an article about a major type of pollution affecting us as of right now:

Light Pollution

     I had never thought about it that way before...I mean is it really a type of pollution? Her reasoning was as followed: 

• That it makes sense, since with technology and growing cities (and a growing population) that more of the Earth stays lit even after the sun has set. 
• Cities don't even get to see the stars because of all the excess light. It's kinda scary to think that some people never get to see a starry night. Even in Aurora, both of us feel that we still don't get to see as many stars as we could, if we weren't in a higher populated area. 
• The article apparently mentions the effects of near constant light. It's not just astronomers who need dark-sky in order to observe the stars that are affected-it's animals as well whose biological clocks are affected by light. Back before the light bulb ever existed, and gas lamps, it was still possible to see plenty of stars in cities. It's no wonder how scientists were able to map out the path of planets, and determine that the Earth orbited the sun (and not vice versa). They could see all the stars and planets clearly, because of there was little (if any at all) light pollution to affect their view of the nighttime sky.

      In conclusion, both of us hope cities try and reduce the amount of light pollution they emit-not only will it clear up the night sky so people can stargaze again, but it can also reduce the costs require to light up a city. Plus, we need to be able to enjoy the nature surrounding us as much as possible before things change!