John,

I agree, EM pollution is horrendous now!

As to light pollution? I recall seeing a satelite photo in 'Scientific American' in the 70s. It was a night-time shot of Europe - damned near as good as a map! You could see the cities, and even the major autobhans (sp?)in Germany from the lights!

A couple of years back, I found a similar 'snapshot from space' of the whole world, on the Net. Wheww... you could certainly see where all the folk (with $$$s) live. New Zealand was represented by a blob (Auckland) and two dots (Wellington, Christchurch).

I could still show you a sky-full of stars like you saw in the 50's here on Stewart Island. Well, a different perspective from here in the southern hemisphere - and you may have to stay a few weeks to get a clear night without blasted overcast ... ;)

Cheers - Sam