Half the UK ‘cannot see all the stars’

The latest annual star count survey by the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) and the Campaign for Dark Skies (CfDS) shows 53 per cent of those taking part could see 10 stars or fewer within the major constellation of Orion.

The number of people living with severe light pollution had decreased only very slightly from 54 per cent in 2011, the survey found.

Fewer than one in 10 (9 per cent) could see between 21 and 30 stars within the constellation, and just 2 per cent had really dark skies above them and were able to see 31 or more stars on a clear night earlier this year, the survey found.

The campaigners warned the results showed that, despite action to reduce light pollution in some areas, the problem remained largely unchecked.

They said that in 2010, local authorities collectively spent more than £529m on street lighting, accounting for 5-10 per cent of each council’s carbon emissions.

Rolling back light pollution

A number of councils have tested out schemes to switch off or dim street lights when and where they are not needed, for example in the early hours of the morning, although the trials have often proved controversial with residents.

In January, all of the properties in Dulverton, a Devon village, turned off their lights for an evening as part of an experiment to observe the stars without light pollution.

Emma Marrington, rural policy campaigner at CPRE, said: “Of course we need the right, well-designed lighting in the right places – and some areas need to be lit for safety reasons – but there should not be a blanket assumption that glaring lights are needed.

“The evidence gathered during this year’s star count week shows that we need to take action now to roll back the spread of light pollution.”

Bob Mizon of the CfDS said: “Light pollution is a disaster for anyone trying to study the stars. It’s like a veil of light is being drawn across the night sky, denying many people the beauty of a truly starry night.

“Many children growing up today will never see the Milky Way; never see the unimaginable glory of billions of visible stars shining above them.”