London - Half of Britain cannot see a starry sky at night because of light pollution, a study has found.
Glaring beams from streetlamps, shops and offices are creating an artificially bright landscape, says the Campaign to Protect Rural England.
It found 53 percent could see fewer than ten stars in the Orion constellation – slightly fewer than last year.
Campaigners said that despite initiatives to reduce light pollution “the contamination of British night skies continues largely unchecked”. Together with the British Astronomical Association, they are calling for a reduction in light pollution which not only thwarts stargazers, but affects wildlife and human sleeping patterns.
The research was carried out by around 1,000 volunteers who counted the stars they could see on a clear night in January and February. Just two percent had truly dark skies, seeing 31 or more stars - concentrated in rural spots in the South West, West Midlands and Cumbria.
Orion is one of the most easily recognisable constellations in the world and visible in Britain from November to February.
Emma Marrington, of the CPRE, said unnecessary light “damages the character of the countryside”. She added: “Of course we need the right, well-designed lighting in the right places…but there should not be a blanket assumption that glaring lights are needed.”
The Local Government Association said dozens of local authorities had been trialling the dimming of street lights at night. - Daily Mail