Global Light Pollution Rose 16% from 2014 to 2022, NASA Data Shows

A study published in Nature reveals that artificial light pollution increased by 16% globally between 2014 and 2022, based on satellite data from NASA. Researchers at the University of Connecticut, led by Zhe Zhu, director of the Global Environmental Remote Sensing Laboratory, analyzed the data. The United States is the most luminous country, followed by China, Canada, India, and Brazil. Zhu noted that the Earth's lighting footprint is dynamic, constantly expanding, contracting, and shifting. The study challenges the simplified view that the planet is just getting steadily brighter. Light pollution is measured on the Bortle scale, with Class 9 representing the maximum level found in major cities like London and New York. 80% of Americans live in urban areas where only the brightest celestial objects are visible. Beyond hindering astrophotography, light pollution disrupts human sleep cycles and melatonin production, and a 2024 study linked it to a slightly higher risk of breast cancer. Animals such as birds and sea turtles, which rely on moonlight for navigation, are also affected. Additionally, the growing number of satellites orbiting Earth contributes to the problem. Photographer Angel Fux captured an image of the Milky Way and Gegenschein from 14,000 feet, but noted light pollution from Italy affected the shot, warning that such views may become impossible if trends continue.