The UT-Arlington Shorthorn (13 July 2016)

Light pollution obstructs view of space

Light pollution wreaks havoc on biological systems, altering the circadian rhythms which guide the 24-hour cycle of sleep for most life on Earth, and for as much as 80 percent of North America’s population, it hides what was once a constant in the night sky: the light of the Milky Way.

“Light pollution is a form of pollution that is a form of environmental destruction that is absolutely on par with air or water pollution,” said John Barentine, International Dark Sky Association program director.

Most life on Earth is dependent on sunlight, he said, and throughout Earth’s history, life forms evolved to respond to the natural periods of light and dark.
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“When we use electric light at night outdoors, we’re putting light into the environment during a period of time of day when our bodies don’t expect there to be any,” Barentine said.

Read more at: ​http://www.theshorthorn.com/news/light-pollution-obstructs-view-of-space/article_052daede-4789-11e6-92a6-e723d1bc8fb3.html