Tunable structured laser over full spatial spectrum - Nature

IntroductionArtificial light at night (ALAN)Global insect decline is a major environmental problem with implications for many important ecosystem services1,2. In this context, artificial light at night (ALAN) has emerged as a significant environmental stressor (light pollution), with wide-ranging effects on both terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems3,4,5, particularly for nocturnal species6. Besides being able to influence offspring developmental time and number7, ALAN interferes with many photoperiodic responses. This includes e.g. a regulation of diapause induction of moth species, resulting in miss-timed development and increased mortality8,9. ALAN further disrupts natural behaviours such as foraging, mating and migration across various taxa10,11,12,13,14. Moreover, nocturnal activity of insects may be higher than diurnal activity (with large differences between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems), indicating that a large proportion of species interactions will be affected11,15.

Archaeologists have discovered a faience workshop at a major temple complex in the ancient Nubian capital of Napata, showing how the rulers of ancient Kush used specialized craft production to reinforce royal power.

More than 99% of the US population lives under light-polluted skies, according to a 2016 study published in Science Advances. With streetlights, brightly lit parking lots, arenas, and passing headlights brightening the night, it can be easy to forget how dark the sky actually is and how many stars appear when you get away from populated areas. Seeing that many stars for the first time can make you pause and remember where you truly are. You are on a rock spinning through space, surrounded by a universe filled with stars, planets, and galaxies larger than anything you can imagine. A remote mountain excursion can combine a dark sky encounter with a day of hiking and sightseeing. After sunset, bright stars emerge above the slopes and ridgelines. These American mountains lie within officially designated dark sky locations that protect natural darkness and the views of the universe it reveals. In northeastern New Mexico, Capulin Volcano sits among volcanic cones, mesas, and buttes in one of the darker areas of the lower 48 states. These landforms help shield the night sky from distant lights, while the rugged terrain has discouraged development in the area.

Here is SpacePolicyOnline.com’s list of space policy events for the week of October 18-24, 2026 and any insight we can offer about them. The House and Senate are in recess, except for pro forma sessions, until after the midterm elections. This week has two especially interesting events — the launch of JAXA’s Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) mission tomorrow (Monday) afternoon EDT, and a NASA update on the Artemis program on Friday — plus many others. We’re also keeping track of the discussions on social media about the very close approach of Russia’s Kosmos 2612 to the U. S.-registered ICEYE X36 Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite.