Scientists created a world atlas that shows the prevalence of artificial sky brightness. The colors denote the levels of light pollution around the globe.

Photos: Light pollution hides Milky Way from 80% of Americans

PHOTO: Courtesy Fabio Falchi et al./AAAS

Scientists created a world atlas that shows the prevalence of artificial sky brightness. The colors denote the levels of light pollution around the globe.

Most Americans are exposed to light pollution. Some areas with the least amount of artificial light can be found in the western part of the country, according to scientist and study author Fabio Falchi.

Photos: Light pollution hides Milky Way from 80% of Americans

PHOTO: Courtesy Fabio Falchi et al./AAAS

Most Americans are exposed to light pollution. Some areas with the least amount of artificial light can be found in the western part of the country, according to scientist and study author Fabio Falchi.

Some organizations are trying to fight light pollution. The International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) is honoring dark sky sanctuaries, areas that have pristine night skies. One of these sanctuaries can be found in the Elqui Valley of northern Chile.

Photos: Light pollution hides Milky Way from 80% of Americans

PHOTO: Courtesy Fabio Falchi et al./AAAS

Some organizations are trying to fight light pollution. The International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) is honoring dark sky sanctuaries, areas that have pristine night skies. One of these sanctuaries can be found in the Elqui Valley of northern Chile.

Ninety-nine percent of the U.S. and European populations live under the bright glow of light pollution, and 60% of Europeans cannot see the Milky Way, the galaxy that contains our solar system.

Photos: Light pollution hides Milky Way from 80% of Americans

PHOTO: Courtesy Fabio Falchi et al./AAAS

Ninety-nine percent of the U.S. and European populations live under the bright glow of light pollution, and 60% of Europeans cannot see the Milky Way, the galaxy that contains our solar system.

Some of the world's darkest skies can be found on the African continent. The countries with the most pristine nights are Chad, Central African Republic and Madagascar, according to the study.

Photos: Light pollution hides Milky Way from 80% of Americans

PHOTO: Courtesy Fabio Falchi et al./AAAS

Some of the world's darkest skies can be found on the African continent. The countries with the most pristine nights are Chad, Central African Republic and Madagascar, according to the study.

The country with the worst source of light pollution is Singapore. The population is under such extreme light conditions that people's eyes "cannot fully dark-adapt to night vision," the study finds.

Photos: Light pollution hides Milky Way from 80% of Americans

PHOTO: Courtesy Fabio Falchi et al./AAAS

The country with the worst source of light pollution is Singapore. The population is under such extreme light conditions that people's eyes "cannot fully dark-adapt to night vision," the study finds.

Light pollution is a problem not just because it obscures our vision of the stars and space, but also because it affects people's health, wildlife and economies, researchers explain.

Photos: Light pollution hides Milky Way from 80% of Americans

PHOTO: Courtesy Fabio Falchi et al./AAAS

Light pollution is a problem not just because it obscures our vision of the stars and space, but also because it affects people's health, wildlife and economies, researchers explain.

Story highlights

Eighty-three percent of the world's population lives under a haze of artificial light

Extremely bright night skies can cause ecological problems, health issues and wasteful spending

(CNN) —

If you look up at the evening sky, there’s a good chance you will not be able to see what your grandmother saw when she was a little girl.

That’s because we’re enshrouded in an artificial haze of light that is blocking the night sky, a phenomenon scientists call light pollution.

Scientists believe one-third of humanity cannot view the Milky Way — this includes 80% of Americans and 60% of Europeans because city lights are creating fogs of light pollution, according to a new study that published Friday in the journal of Science Advances.

PHOTO: Sriram Murali/CNN iReport

The Milky Way sparkles over the Grand Canyon in Arizona.

An international team of scientists created a world atlas of artificial sky luminance that details how light pollution is permeating our planet. This light is obscuring our vision of the stars, celestial events and the Milky Way — the galaxy that contains our solar system.

Although there are a few patches of pristine dark sky still left in the world, 83% of the world’s population and more than 99% of the U.S. and European populations live under the bright glow of light pollution.

“This is a huge cultural loss with unforeseeable consequences in the future generations,” scientist Fabio Falchi, one of the authors of the study, says. “Pristine night skies are a precious merchandise.”

01:16 - Source: CNN

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