A Plea for the Night

Everyone cherishes the night. For most of us it's a time for contemplation, rest and recuperation from the day's hectic activities. For others, a "day of work" starts at nightfall. Despite the official calendar claiming that we are close to the longest night of the year (in the northern hemisphere), some facts appear to contradict that. For example, "light pollution" is steadily on the increase. It's being claimed (translated from German) that "99% of Europeans live under a light-polluted sky and 60% cannot discern the Milky Way." That's not only a problem for astronomers (hobbyists and professionals alike) but for everyone living in modern cities. Nights have become nearly as bright as some days with all the street lighting, for a long time already.