News Astronomy

Pollution is endangering the future of astronomy

Technological advances are making it harder to see the night sky

night sky panorama

SKY GLOW  This panoramic view of the night sky from Meteor Crater in Arizona shows how light from Winslow, Phoenix and Flagstaff (left to right, starting at 90°) makes it harder to see the stars.   

Dan Duriscoe/National Park Service

By Dan Garisto

- More than 2 years ago

OXON HILL, Md. — Even as technological advances allow astronomers to peer more deeply into the cosmos than ever before, new technologies also have the potential to create blinding pollution.