Chinese city plans 'artificial moon' to light up skies in 2020

A city in China is hoping to launch an "artificial moon" to light up the night skies in 2020. The southwestern city of Chengdu will be the focus of an illumination satellite. The artificial moon will be eight times brighter than the real Moon and will be able to light an area with a diameter of up to 80 kilometres.

Wu Chunfeng, chairman of Chengdu Aerospace Science and Technology Microelectronics System Research Institute, made the announcement at a recent conference and said the new moon could replace some street lights.