Wasted light

Term or phrase	Waste light
Status	wired
Notes	A generation ago nobody but astronomers heard the term “light pollution.’’ Now it’s known widely. Light pollution is the artificial glow that you see filling the night sky. It’s caused mostly by “waste light’’ spilling uselessly sideways and upward from poorly designed and improperly aimed outdoor light fixtures. Energy concerns have focused new attention on this waste light, which of course is wasted electricity.
Related terms	light pollution
Keywords

Resource description	Alan M. MacRobert, "Despite light pollution, the brightest stars shine through," in The Boston Globe, 4 February 2012
Resource url	http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2012/02/04/giant_stars_shine_through_city_lights/

Resource description	Wikipedia definition of "light pollution"
Resource url	http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light_pollution