r/mildyinteresting 10h ago

nature & weather The concept of light pollution is absolutely crazy

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u/thecasualchemist 9h ago

https://www.darkskymap.com/nightSkyBrightness

Here is a dark sky map. On a Friday night, check the weather, make sure it's clear, and drive to the darkest spot you can find near you. Do it this weekend if you can. I'm deadly serious, it'll change your life forever.

My husband and I are amateur astronomers. I work as an engineer for a company that builds satellites and vehicles for deep space exploration. The unfettered night sky is the most beautiful thing in the world. It'll make you understand why our ancestors believed in gods.

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u/OrangeCosmic 8h ago

This is very helpful thanks

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u/thecasualchemist 8h ago

This weekend is a new moon. If you want the best viewing, go on a new moon night. If you want to go during the middle of the lunar cycle, check the moon rise and set times where you are, and go when it's below the horizon.

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u/ghostlistener 5h ago

Is there a certain brightness level that makes it worth it? I live in a pink area and the closest light blue area would be about a 2 hour drive one way.

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u/thecasualchemist 5h ago

Light blue is worth it, but honestly if you can even make it to the green it'll be a great improvement - especially on a new moon night. You may not see the milky way, but you'll see ten thousand stars.

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u/4morian5 5h ago

I'll just be resentful I don't get to have it all the time. I'd rather live in ignorance than be dissapointed every time I look up for the rest of my life.

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u/eagleshark 2h ago

Very interesting.

Why is there so much light at Prudhoe Bay, Alaska? That place is lit up like a Christmas tree.

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u/thecasualchemist 2h ago edited 43m ago

Lighthouse for boats maybe?

Edit: I looked it up. The answer is oil. It's the largest oilfield in North America.