As a girl, I was thrilled by the night sky. Must my son grow up without seeing the Milky Way? | Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett

I love the idea of my boy and his dad peering through a telescope together. But what will light pollution leave for them to look at?

I was saddened to read about how light pollution is rapidly reducing the number of stars visible to the naked eye. In some locations where 250 stars are visible, it is estimated that only 100 will be visible in 18 years' time.

Growing up in the countryside, there were nights when the skies were so clear that if you were driving you felt compelled to pull over and get out to marvel at them. The only place where I have seen stars clearer than in Snowdonia (Eryri) is on remote Greek islands, where you find yourself gazing upwards, stupefied - an effect that is increased, in my experience, by copious amounts of local booze.