An earth-circling satellite has a mission: Prove whether the mother of all lights in the City of Lights can be seen from outer space.

John Lichtsteiner, who oversees the Luxor beam, said a New Mexico company that specializes in imaging technology has informed him of efforts to photograph what is believed to be the world's brightest light.

Lichtsteiner said he's been told the 42.3 billion candle power pillar of light is among two or three creations that can be seen from the space shuttle. The Great Wall of China has been mentioned as one of the others.

"It would be nice to have definite proof," he said. The project is a joint effort between the Air Force Research Lab and Kestrel Corp., a satellite camera company in Albuquerque, N.M., according to Kestrel's Anna Edwards.

The Luxor beam has become the topic of late of another mystery.

The shaft of light atop the black pyramid on the Strip comes alive at night, attracting thousands of silver moths, bats and birds for what transforms into an aerial feeding frenzy.

The moths, as wide as a silver dollar from wing to wing, create a swirling otherworldly scene. "Like sparkly lights going up to heaven," said Lichtsteiner. Huge numbers of moths die attempting to reach the source of the light -- 39 lamps the size of 55-gallon drum barrels near the peak of the resort.

"They fill every crack and are baked (from the beam's heat). We had a hawk get inside a couple years ago and had a devil of a time getting him out."