A new kind of pollution
Air pollution is a well-known problem, but now light pollution (0) ...... also causing concern. Light pollution occurs because there are many electric lights around us which are so powerful that (13) ...... stop us seeing the stars in the night sky. It is now (14) ...... a problem that in some places people (15) ...... outdoor lighting is too bright could even (16) ...... given a heavy fine. Business owners, supermarkets and even home-owners (17) ...... install security lights may face legal action if their lights are (18) ...... bright that they spoil their neighbours’ enjoyment of the night sky.
Amazingly, many children growing up in big cities today (19) ...... never seen the night sky properly because of the increase in light pollution. And it is (20) ...... only in cities – people living in the country are also affected (21) ...... lights from nearby towns. It is a problem for those simply trying to enjoy the stars, and for serious astronomers (22) ...... well.
One university in the UK has come up (23) ...... an interesting solution. It has built a telescope in the Canary Islands and allows schools to use this via the internet. But it does seem ridiculous that children can’t see the stars properly (24) ...... using their computers!