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MURKY WAY

Light pollution from cities, factories and roads making it impossible for Brits to see Milky Way

Report says Scotland is the best place in the UK to see the natural wonder clearly

The Milky Way galaxy moves over the CARMA Array Radio Observatory, White Mountains, California

LIGHT pollution from cities, factories and roads has now made it impossible for most Brits to see the Milky Way.

Only remote parts of Scotland, Sweden, Norway, Spain and ­Austria have clear views of the stars in western Europe.

And four-fifths of Americans cannot see the natural wonder, a new global atlas of light pollution has revealed.

 Light pollution is making it hard for Brits to see the Milky Way
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Light pollution is making it hard for Brits to see the Milky WayCredit: Corbis
 Four-fifths of Americans cannot see the natural wonder
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Four-fifths of Americans cannot see the natural wonderCredit: Getty Images

Light pollution, the excess glare from lights which blots out the night sky, is most extensive in Singapore, Italy and South Korea. Canada and Australia retain the darkest sky.

Unnatural light can confuse or expose insects, birds and sea turtles, often leading to their death.

Scientists said simply switching lights off or shielding bulbs, so their rays are only directed to where they are needed, could solve the problem.

 Scientists hope the report will 'open the eyes of people to light pollution'
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Scientists hope the report will 'open the eyes of people to light pollution'Credit: Associated Press

Atlas author Fabio Falchi, of Italy, said: “I hope this will finally open the eyes of people to light pollution.”


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