BBC NEWS | UK | Light pollution 'masking stars'

"A growing number of people are unable to see the night sky because of
glare from poorly-designed outdoor lights in built up areas, a survey
suggests.

Some 1,829 members of the UK public counted the stars for the study by
the Campaign to Protect Rural England and the British Astronomical
Association.

They were asked to focus on the constellation of Orion, one of the
most easily-identified.

About 50 stars could be visible to the naked eye within a truly dark
sky.

But just 2% of respondents said they could see more than 30 stars,
with 54% saying they saw fewer than 10 stars in Orion - a level which
indicates severe light pollution.

The online survey took place on nights of 20-24 December 2006 and
14-21 January."

More at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6440751.stm