New moon: China to launch lunar lighting in outer space

That's no moon... China is planning to replace streetlamps with light from an 'artificial' moon.

Beijing (AFP) - China is planning to launch its own 'artificial moon' by 2020 to replace streetlamps and lower electricity costs in urban areas, state media reported Friday.

Chengdu, a city in southwestern Sichuan province, is developing "illumination satellites" which will shine in tandem with the real moon, but are eight times brighter, according to China Daily.