Do you remember when there seem to be more stars in the sky? or maybe it's because I was younger. I remember when we could play into the night by the starlight. Has the atmosphere gotten this dirty? or what?
2006-12-21 07:36:42 · 10 answers · asked by Sugar 7 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
I agree that light pollution is definitely the culprit here. About nine years ago, I was out in the Mojave Desert, practically in the middle of nowhere, working on a film shoot. Suddenly, our generator truck popped off and we were plunged into complete darkness (it was about 2am). We were instructed not to move until the lights came back up (so we wouldn't walk into a cactus or something). I literally could not see my hand a few inches in front of my face. But when I looked up, I saw the most beautiful star-filled night sky I think I had ever seen in my life (it was almost like being in outer space). So, there aren't fewer stars, just more ambient light here on good ol' Earth.
2006-12-21 07:49:13 · answer #1 · answered by Mortimer Snerd 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hey Sugar its not a dirty atmosphere its called light pollution there are soooooo many lights on in suburbia and the major city's and on the roads that you have a hard time seeing into the dark Through the light. There are just as many stars up there as there always was try to take a road trip at least 2 1/2 - 4 hours from a major city and look up I'm sure it will bring back some great memory's.
2006-12-21 15:48:42 · answer #2 · answered by crawler 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I grew up in the country and there were no lights anywhere and the stars were great. Now there are people all in the area and all of them have those lights on top of the utility poles. Plus there is a town nearby that causes the horizon to glow. The stars are just not what they used to be.
I went to the desert a few years ago and saw the stars out there and they looked like what I remembered the stars used to.
So it is more than pollutants in the sky. There is also light pollution as well.
2006-12-21 15:39:48 · answer #3 · answered by A.Mercer 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
TWO REASONS: Yes light pollution is number one. But also the fact that children have better eyesight then older folks. I'm not just talking about eye focus (near and far) I'm talking LIGHT gathering strength, even if at 40 you have perfect eyes (20/20) a 10 year old with the same (20/20) will see more stars, even in today's sky. ~A~
2006-12-21 16:55:39 · answer #4 · answered by porsche 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I live in Los Angeles. There are more stars visible in the sky now than when I was a teenager, because there's less pollution now. Pretty funny. Thanks, Mr. Catalytic Converter Inventer Man.
If you want to see the stars, you need to get away from the cities and the haze. Gain some altitude. Go up into the mountains.
2006-12-21 16:28:07 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Light polution is one problem. Be certain you're in a remote, dark area. Nights without a moon are best.
The other is orientation. You can see a lot more stars when the milky way is clearly visible.
2006-12-21 15:44:26 · answer #6 · answered by Plasmapuppy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe the atmosphere and all the bright lights of over building in areas has a lot to do with it.
2006-12-21 15:44:24 · answer #7 · answered by Princess Me 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It may be more an issue of "light" pollution. There are many more electric lights these days and fewer places without them.
2006-12-21 15:39:30 · answer #8 · answered by runningman022003 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
yeah, i remember. it's all the lights burning that makes it hard to see the stars
2006-12-21 15:41:14 · answer #9 · answered by seabee12333@sbcglobal.net 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes the bigger problem is light pollution.
2006-12-21 16:30:00 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋