May 12, 2003	Monday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 9, 1424

LONDON: One by one the stars over Britain are going out. US military satellite data released the other day suggests that light pollution has increased 24 per cent in just seven years and is expected to worsen.

The highlands of Scotland, the Scottish borders, mid-Wales and England’s West Country moorlands are now the only extensive places left in Britain where, cloud permitting, it is possible for the unassisted human eye to see the full galaxy. In most areas Britons are lucky to see a few planets and the brightest stars.

In a new report, the Council for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE) says “aggressively lit” freight depots, service stations, ferry terminals, industrial estates, roads, public buildings and private houses are now spreading a dull orange glow across Britain.

According to the satellite data, England’s south-east has only one per cent of completely dark skies left and some semi-rural counties, such as Bedfordshire and Derbyshire, are now light saturated at night.

“On average, the light shining upwards at night from each square kilometre in England rose by 24 per cent in seven years,” says the report.

“Sky glow — the orange or pink glow seen for miles around urban areas, caused by a scattering of artificial light by dust and water particles — is spreading further and further out from our towns and villages.

“Many children have never seen the Milky Way, the great heart of our galaxy.”

Sir Martin Rees, the UK’s astronomer royal, said: “It is sad ... but for many people it is a real shock now to see a dark sky. Our stellar environment is unique and has been shared by all cultures at all times.”

The report highlights building developments that CPRE members think are badly lit. “Large industrial and commercial premises are increasingly lit by poorly shielded lights on tall columns, casting glare and sky glow deep into the countryside and out to sea.

The authors predict that light pollution, like noise, could become a serious social issue as people fall out over the powerful exterior lighting which increasingly illuminates gardens to neighbours.—Dawn/The Guardian News Service.