Pink city glow

01/11/12, 9:30 pm, looking northwest

All day rain, low clouds and a damp chill. This glow was what I saw as I drove back from a rural area to the city just after 9 pm on Wednesday, January 11th. The low-pressure sodium (LPS) lamps in street lights cause the pink tint in the urban landscape. LPS reduces ambient light pollution and is less distracting for wildlife like migrating birds. 


The low-hanging altocumulus clouds hung in the sky like polyester batting and soaked up the pink LPS glow. Almost looks like cotton candy.