Star Count

As October is Astronomy Month, what better time to participate in a world-wide star count? Read on ....

Schoolchildren, families, and citizen scientists around the world will gaze skyward after dark from October 1 to 15, looking for specific constellations and then sharing their observations through the Internet.

The initiative, called the Great World Wide Star Count, will help scientists map light pollution globally while educating participants about the stars.

The event, which is free and open to everyone who wants to participate, is organized by the Windows to the Universe project at the US-based University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR), in conjunction with planetariums and scientific societies around the world.

"This is an important event that brings families together to enjoy the night skies and become involved in science," says Dennis Ward of UCAR's Office of Education and Outreach, who is one of the event coordinators.

"It also raises awareness about the impact of artificial lighting on our ability to see the stars."

Participants in the Southern Hemisphere will look for Sagittarius while those in the Northern Hemisphere will look for the constellation Cygnus, the Swan. They will then match their observations with magnitude charts downloaded from the Great World Wide Star Count Web site (see below).

Participants in overcast areas who cannot see stars will be able to input data about cloud conditions instead.

Thousands of observers in dozens of countries are expected to take part. Participants may make observations outside their homes or go to less developed areas where more stars are visible.

Bright outdoor lighting at night is a growing problem for astronomical observing programs around the world.

By searching for the same constellations, participants in the Great World Wide Star Count will be able to compare their observations with what others see, giving them a sense of how star visibility varies from place to place. The observers will also learn more about the economic and geographic factors that control the light pollution in their communities and around the world.

"Without even being aware of it, many of us have lost the ability to see many stars at night," Ward says. "The Great World Wide Star Count will help raise awareness of the importance and the beauty of the night skies."

Great World Wide Star Count
http://www.windows.ucar.edu/starcount

Windows to the Universe
http://www.windows.ucar.edu