Dictionary term
Light Pollution
Direct answer
Light Pollution is human-made alteration of natural nighttime light, including skyglow that reduces contrast and hides faint stars and other celestial objects.
Light Pollution is artificial nighttime light that brightens the sky and obscures celestial objects.
Light Pollution is artificial nighttime light that brightens the sky and obscures celestial objects.
A scientific orientation to scale, light, or motion; the article supplies the precise definition.Quick reference
- Use when
- Use Light Pollution when qualifying observing advice and when encouraging shielded, necessary, appropriately colored outdoor lighting without compromising safety.
- Do not use it for
- Do not blame a single lamp or community without measurement, and distinguish artificial skyglow from Moon light or atmospheric haze.
- Reference category
- Astronomy & Skywatching
- Related terms
- Astronomy, Skywatching, Celestial Sphere, Ecliptic
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The story behind Light Pollution
Artificial sky brightness expanded with widespread electric outdoor lighting and is now measured from the ground and by satellites.
Light Pollution in spiritual tradition
Protecting darkness preserves a shared view of the sky and the rhythms of night.
Light Pollution: fact and faith, kept distinct
This is a factual astronomy, calendar, Earth-science, cultural, or historical reference. It can support wonder at the created order without becoming a claim of fate, worship, or private revelation.
Light Pollution in numerology
Light Pollution is not a numerology claim. Any numbers attached to it should retain their ordinary scientific, calendrical, navigational, or historical meaning unless a separate symbolic interpretation is clearly labeled.
Why Light Pollution matters
Light pollution changes what an almanac reader can actually observe and affects the value of naked-eye visibility claims.
Light Pollution at work: an example
The Milky Way may be visible from a dark rural site but absent under urban skyglow on the same clear night.
Where interpretation stops
Light Pollution is presented as sourced astronomy, calendrical, Earth-science, cultural, or instrument-history reference. Definitions should distinguish measured phenomena from civil convention and historical interpretation, preserve location and time dependencies, and avoid turning factual sky data into a deterministic personal claim.
Sources and editorial method
Research references used for this entry include:
- NASA Science: How Can You Help Curb Light Pollution? - NASA skywatching guidance on artificial sky brightness and observing conditions.
- NASA Science: Skywatching FAQ - NASA guidance on observing stars, planets, constellations, and the changing night sky.
- Source
- The Great Almanac Dictionary
- Category
- Astronomy & Skywatching
- Also appears in
- Astronomy & Skywatching
- Aliases
- None listed
- Last updated
- 2026-07-15
Plan for a darker observing site
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More in Astronomy & Skywatching
Common questions
What is Light Pollution?
Light Pollution is human-made alteration of natural nighttime light, including skyglow that reduces contrast and hides faint stars and other celestial objects.
How is Light Pollution used in an almanac?
Use Light Pollution when qualifying observing advice and when encouraging shielded, necessary, appropriately colored outdoor lighting without compromising safety.
What should I avoid when interpreting Light Pollution?
Do not blame a single lamp or community without measurement, and distinguish artificial skyglow from Moon light or atmospheric haze.
