Photos: Light Pollution Shines in 'The City Dark'

SPACE.com Staff
 http://www.space.com/

Light Pollution Can Harm Sea TurtlesCredit: The City Dark/Wicked Delicate FilmsLight pollution from seaside buildings can confuse newborn sea turtles who have only a short time to make it to the ocean after hatching on the beach. 

 Ian Cheney, FilmmakerCredit: The City Dark/Wicked Delicate FilmsThe bright lights in many cities block all the stars in a hazy glow, as seen in this still from the new documentary "The City Dark." 

 Tribute in LightCredit: The City Dark/Wicked Delicate FilmsLight pollution is so common that hardly any stars are visible in many cities around the world. 

 

Observatory in "City Dark" MovieCredit: The City Dark/Wicked Delicate FilmsAstronomers have been forced to go farther and farther afield to find dark enough skies 

Observatory Interior from "City Dark" MovieCredit: The City Dark/Wicked Delicate FilmSome of the best night skies are found in extremely remote locations, far from any city lights.

Brooklyn Streetlight in "City Dark" DocumentaryCredit: The City Dark/Wicked Delicate FilmsThe documentary "The City Dark" explores what happens to people and animals when the stars are no longer visible at night. 

Observatory in Hawaii from "City Dark" DocumentaryCredit: The City Dark/Wicked Delicate FilmsThe filmmakers behind "The City Dark" travel to some of the few spots left on the globe with pristine views of the sparkling night sky. 

Skywatching Attempt in Times SquareCredit: The City Dark/Wicked Delicate FilmsFrustrated skywatchers in big cities may find it hard to spot even a single star from some brightly-lit locales. 

Arizona Sky VillageCredit: The City Dark/Wicked Delicate FilmsSome people, such as residents of the dark-sky community Arizona Sky Village, are choosing to live as far from city lights as possible. 

Trespassing LightCredit: The City Dark/Wicked Delicate FilmsThere is some evidence that exposure to bright lights at night may lead to increased cancer rates. 

New York City, Capital of Light PollutionCredit: The City Dark/Wicked Delicate FilmsNew York City is one of the most light-polluted spots on an increasingly over-lit Earth.