Since the light bulb was invented, those who savor the night have fought light pollution. Today, Coal accounts for about 33 percent of U.S. energy production (nma.org). Wasted energy that drifts into space accounts for hundreds of power plants burning coal, oil and natural gas to bring daylight to the night, most of which is overkill and redundant.

Hundreds of cities and counties are trying to curb bright lights, and at least a dozen states — California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Maine, New Jersey, New Mexico and Texas among them — have lighting laws covering highways and state projects.

The International Dark-Sky Association in Tucson, which promotes better outdoor lighting, is intent on making the Milky Way visible to more people across the USA. It's starting to work. usatoday.com/tech