light pollution


noun

unwanted or harmful light, as from bright street lights or neon signs.
Astronomy. artificial illumination of the sky that sets a limit on the faintness of stars that can be observed or photographed.

Origin of light pollution

First recorded in 1970–75

British Dictionary definitions for light pollution

light pollution

noun

the glow from street and domestic lighting that obscures the night sky and hinders the observation of faint stars