Light Matters

It’s totally different views when you look to the sky from inside light polluted cities and out in nature. The two panoramic photos are captured during the bright appearance of comet Lovejoy (C/2011 W3) in December 2011 (the upper image is made on the 24th and the lower on the 22nd). The tail of the comet is faintly visible from inside Perth in western Australia, while some kilometers away from the city its spectacular view clearly appears in the starry sky. Today most city skies have become virtually empty of stars. Light pollution obscures the stars, interferes with astronomical observatories, and, like any other form of pollution, disrupts ecosystems and has adverse health effects.