Czechs are turned off by the incredible lightness of being

Czech astronomers are hoping for clear skies on June 1 when the world's first national light pollution law comes into effect. People who pollute the night skies with street lighting or other sources face fines of up to £3,000.

The law was passed after lobbying by environmentalists and astronomers who had noted a decline in the quality of star-gazing due to development, street advertising and sports facilities, all brightly lit. Authorities now have a duty to control the upward spread of light with shades and housings.

Jenik Hollan, an astronomer at the Nicholas Copernicus Observatory and Planetarium in Brno, said: "Because of light pollution, stronger equipment is needed to observe the stars, which are vanishing in an ever brighter sky."

David L. Crawford, executive director of the International Dark-Sky Association, said: "Fully shielded light fixtures not only preserve the beauty of the starry sky, but illuminate more efficiently and allow people to see better at night."

Details: www.astro.cz/darksky/