What do you see when you look up at the night sky?
For an increasing number of people, that view includes the dull glowing haze of light pollution from within the atmosphere and without.
Today’s column (gift link) looks at the price of progress. Humans undoubtedly benefit from technology and satellites. The words on this screen have likely passed through more than one satellite by the time you read them. But as these devices become more common in the night sky, something important might be lost forever: darkness.
Read “Space junk is leaving permanent streaks in Minnesota’s darkest skies,” in the Saturday, July 25, 2026 edition of the Minnesota Star Tribune.
Aaron J. Brown is a columnist and member of the editorial board for the Minnesota Star Tribune. His new book about Hibbing Mayor Victor Power and his momentous fight against the world’s largest corporation will be out soon.
