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2016-05-17 · people

A third of humanity cannot see the Milky Way

Artificial light at night washes out stars — and disrupts wildlife and sleep.

1 cell = 8.2 million people (0.1% of world population) · 1,000 cells

A third of humanity cannot see the Milky Way. Artificial light at night washes out stars — and disrupts wildlife and sleep.

Context

Artificial light at night washes out stars — and disrupts wildlife and sleep.

Science Advances 2016: ~83% world population lives under light-polluted skies; ~33% cannot see Milky Way.

This grid fixes world population at 1,000 equal cells (0.1% of world population). Figures follow Science Advances — light pollution as summarized in the source line — rounded so cell counts sum to the chart.

  • United Nations — SDG indicators

Falchi et al. Science Advances 2016: ~83% world population lives under light-polluted skies; ~33% cannot see Milky Way.

  • Science Advances — light pollution

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