What is the primary reason the Milky Way's true magnificence is rarely appreciated by most people today?
Answer
The massive proliferation of artificial lighting, known as light pollution.
The visibility of the Milky Way has dramatically decreased for the majority of the global population due to modern environmental factors. Historically, before widespread industrialization and the adoption of electric lighting, the Milky Way was an unmistakable, prominent feature visible across most inhabited regions on clear nights. Currently, the intense, ubiquitous artificial illumination generated by cities and towns drowns out the faint light from distant stars, meaning that only observers in extremely remote areas or those viewing from space can witness the phenomenon in its full glory.
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How the Milky Way Got Its Name - YouTube
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