CAMBRIDGE, U.K.--Professional astronomers have long fled the British Isles in search of darker and clearer skies. But light pollution is now ruining things for stargazers who stayed at home, concludes a report issued this week by the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee. It warns that the growing glow will soon blind a thriving corps of amateur astronomers and urges the government to take action to control nighttime lighting.
The U.K.'s professional optical telescopes are all sited abroad. But the island's amateurs still play an important role in monitoring comets, supernovae, and other celestial events. And they foster the next generation of researchers through school visits and outings. But a "swath of light" is now "ruining the night sky for everyone," say the parliamentarians. Possible solutions could include stricter local guidelines on street lighting and, possibly, a tough national law. The goal, the report says, is "for young people studying astronomy to see the Milky Way ... once more."
