What physical factor, besides distance from artificial light, can significantly reduce the contrast and visibility of fainter Milky Way structures?
Answer
Smoke from wildfires
Atmospheric clarity plays a crucial role in viewing faint celestial targets like the Milky Way. Even when an observer is situated far from city lights, particulate matter suspended in the air can scatter or absorb the faint light trying to reach the observer's eye. Smoke originating from wildfires, even if the haze is not obviously visible, can significantly degrade the image contrast, making the subtle dark lanes and faint gas structures much harder to perceive compared to a night with pristine, clear air.
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