City in China wants to launch fake moon to replace street lights

The southwestern China city of Chengdu wants to launch a satellite into orbit that would look like the moon.

It would reflect the sun's rays at night and reportedly be eight times brighter than the real moon. But according to the Mirror, the level of illumination is adjustable, like a dimmer switch.

The plan was announced last week at an innovation conference.

China says the light from the fake moon could replace street lights and save the city more than $200 million a year, but astronomers are concerned about the increased light pollution it could create.

China is hoping to have the artificial moon launched by 2020.

Cox Media Group