These two views of Linz, Austria, taken September 3, 2009, show the difference light pollution makes. With the cooperation of the city’s mayor, officials turned off all unnecessary lights halfway through the night. Dietmar Hager photos
Dietmar wrote, “These pictures were taken in the same night last year, when we were celebrating a big star party from the middle of Linz. I had the cooperation of the city’s mayor. He let his employees turn off any light that could be excused. We would have turned off more, but we had clouds and rain … what a pity!”
Well, a big “thank-you” for sending these shots, Dietmar. I think they demonstrate what an effect light pollution can have on observing — to think nothing of how much money the city saved by turning off those lights!