CPRE calls for budding astronomers to contribute to star count map.
UPDATE: Star Count Week took place from 31st January to 6th February 2011. If you haven't yet submitted your results you can do so via the link below:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/star-count-2011
Watch this space for the resulting light pollution map!
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Have you been inspired by the BBC’s recent ‘Stargazing Live’ series, hosted locally at Jodrell Bank, to get out into your back garden and get more familiar with the heavens? While you are out there, why not take part in an experiment being run by the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) and the Campaign for Dark Skies (CfDS) to see how dark our skies are?
Follow this link for an audio slideshow on the star count.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-12292852
The charities are calling for ‘citizen scientists’ to count the number of stars they can see within the constellation of Orion on a clear night between Monday 31st January and Sunday 6th February, and complete an online form or submit their results by post; the results will help to create a Star Count Map, illustrating how light pollution is affecting the view of the night sky.
How to take part in Star Count Week 2011:
Participants can choose any night between Monday 31 January and Sunday 6 February but the sky must be clear, with no haze or clouds, so there is the best chance of seeing stars. It is recommended that observations are made after 7pm so the sky is sufficiently dark.
Organisers are asking people to count stars within the constellation of Orion in the southern night sky – the same direction that household satellite dishes face. The main area of the constellation is bounded by four bright stars. The star count should not include these four corner stars – only those within this rectangular boundary – but do include the stars in the middle known as Orion's three-star belt. (A diagram will be available at www.cpre.org.uk/starcount from 10 January 2010)
People should make a count of the number of stars seen with the naked eye (not with telescopes or binoculars) and then simply complete the online survey form: www.cpre.org.uk/starcount or send their count, the time and date it was made, and the location to our address: Star Count, Campaign for Dark Skies, 38 The Vineries, Colehill, Wimborne, BH21 2PX.
Further details of the Star Count Week and instructions on how to take part can be found at: www.cpre.org.uk/starcount