What is identified as the primary culprit for the disappearance of thousands of stars normally visible from pristine dark sites?

Answer

Artificial lighting

The overwhelming reason that skies in populated areas have become so deficient in visible stars, compared to views from remote locations, is artificial lighting, which causes light pollution. This occurs when outdoor light sources are inefficiently shielded or misdirected, sending light horizontally or vertically into the atmosphere rather than directing it only downward where illumination is needed. This upward emission scatters off atmospheric particles, creating a pervasive dome of brightness over urban and suburban regions. This elevated background light effectively washes out fainter stars by severely reducing the visual contrast required to distinguish them from the sky itself.

What is identified as the primary culprit for the disappearance of thousands of stars normally visible from pristine dark sites?

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USAnightstarVisibilityLight pollution