* Astronomy

Blobrana · L

RE: Light Pollution, Energy Saving, Astronomy

Blobrana · L

Star Count Goes Global
Light pollution to be mapped by thousands of citizen scientists this month
Schoolchildren, families and citizen scientists around the world will gaze skyward after dark from Oct. 20 to Nov.3, 2008, looking for specific constellations and then sharing their observations through the Internet.

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Blobrana · L

Light pollution, also known as photo pollution or luminous pollution, refers to the obtrusive, misdirected or misused light created by humans generally resulting from an inappropriate application of exterior lighting products. It comes in several modes each with its own negative effects including sky glow, glare and light trespass.

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Blobrana · L

Astronomers who were unable to train their telescopes on the furthest stars in the night sky because there was too much light have welcomed a move to redirect the light from street lamps.
Members of Doncaster Astronomical Society contacted Doncaster Council about street lighting around their observatory in Austerfield.

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Blobrana · L

The Naperville Astronomical Association has an enviable amateur stargazing center with a video telescope that can reel in views of the Eskimo Nebula or the spirals of the Whirlpool Galaxy, 23 million light-years away.
But when members want an unobstructed view of the night sky, they pack their telescopes into their cars and drive more than an hour south to a farm in Grundy County, beyond the glow in the western suburbs that blots out most of the stars.

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Blobrana · L

Light Pollution

Blobrana · L

RE: Light Pollution, Energy Saving, Astronomy

Blobrana · L

Each month, as the new moon approaches, hundreds of amateur astronomers leave Los Angeles in search of stars. Some settle on top of nearby mountains or in local deserts. Others drive to more pristine places like southern Utah.
All are coping with the world's sudden and dramatic loss of the night.
As late as World War II, most people on earth could glance at the evening sky and be greeted by thousands of stars and the striking glow of our host galaxy, the Milky Way. Modern science was born from musings about the heavens. Countless artists found nobility and inspiration among the stars.

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Blobrana · L

The UK Government's response to a petition asking the Prime Minister to "ensure that all exterior lights are shaded to direct their light downwards, so as to prevent light pollution obscuring the beauty of the night sky."

The Government recognises the fact that outdoor lighting has increased significantly over the past 30 years and we are working to tackle the problem through better planning, energy efficiency, improved street lighting and more effective local authority enforcement.
The night sky over England is more brightly lit than any other European country, with the exception only of the Netherlands. This is certainly reducing our ability to view and enjoy the night sky, and this has implications for astronomers, stargazers and wildlife alike. The wasted energy from unnecessary lighting is also contributing to dangerous climate change.
In 2003, a Parliamentary Select Committee on Science and Technology held an enquiry into light pollution and astronomy to consider the effectiveness of measures taken to reduce the impact of light pollution on astronomy. A number of sources of light pollution were considered, including street lighting, domestic and industrial security lighting, and the floodlighting of sports facilities and buildings.

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Blobrana · L

The stars over Tooele County are not growing dimmer, but some advocates of dark skies fear growth may make it more difficult to view celestial events in populated areas of the county.

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