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I doubt there is anyone who actively hates the stars, but do we really value them as much as we should? If humans truly valued the stars in our skies, then we would surely do more to defend them. “What do you mean? The stars aren't in any danger,” you may object. But while the existence of stars may not be under threat, our ability to perceive them certainly is.
A study last year revealed that outdoor lights are drastically reducing our ability to see stars in the night sky – and that the problem of light pollution is increasing by as much as 10 percent each year. If you look at the night sky in the countryside or in a desert and compare it with the view in developed areas, it's easy to perceive the problem. Unfortunately, as development across the globe increases, our ability to perceive the heavens diminishes. It's estimated that up to 80 percent of Earth’s population is now impacted by light pollution.
Add to this the increasing number of communications satellites in orbit (there are currently over 10,000 up there), and it becomes apparent that the nighttime sky is likely to become a bright, crowded mess, making it almost impossible for us to see the vast sea of stars that surround us.
This should be a concern not only for astronomers, but for every one of us. View the Photo Gallery below for 5 Reasons we should all value the stars.
The popes and the stars
Stars have a prominent role in the Bible. From the creation of the heavens in the Book of Genesis to the Star of Bethlehem, stars have been a symbol of God’s providence and care for his people. Today more than ever, the Church understands the importance of studying the cosmos. With that in mind, Aleteia is presenting a daily series entitled “Popes and the Stars” that tells the story of the Vatican Observatory and other initiatives that the Church has undertaken to enrich our understanding of the Universe.
As for the problem of light pollution, fortunately are ways to deal with the problem – like insisting that we use nighttime lights more thoughtfully and responsibly. Hopefully, after viewing the photo gallery below and reading the articles we share with you this week, you will agree with us that the stars are truly valuable and worth fighting for!
