light pollution

People use this phrase for too much light from streets and buildings at night that makes stars harder to see.

It can refer to bright light in the sky, lights that shine into places where they are not wanted, or overly bright outdoor lighting.

• The light pollution made it difficult to see the meteor shower.
• We drove outside the city to escape the light pollution and see the Milky Way.
• Our town is reducing light pollution by turning off unnecessary streetlights.