GLOBE at Night starts this week
Night sky fans, mark your calendars! March 3rd – 16th are the dates for the 2010 GLOBE at Night campaign. Now in its 5th year, GLOBE at Night is a citizen-scientist program to survey the extent of light pollution worldwide. By compiling data received from observers, event organizers can more accurately determine the impact of artificial lighting on the quality of the nighttime environment.
Recently, and for the first time in human history, it was estimated that more than half of the world’s population now inhabits cities. This shift to urban areas means that many people no longer see a sky filled with stars. From where they live, as much as two-thirds of the U.S. population can no longer see the Milky Way. While that may seem inconsequential, the financial cost of light pollution is hard to overlook. The International Dark-Sky Association estimates that in the United States alone, the annual cost is nearly two billion dollars. Wasted light means wasted energy. The bulk of that energy generated by non-renewable energy sources like coal and oil.
GLOBE at Night is supported by an international network of partner organizations including: The National Optical and Astronomical Observatory, The University Corporation for Atmospheric Research, NASA, the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of State. The International Astronomical Union has positioned GLOBE at Night as a cornerstone program in its Dark Skies Awareness project.
The purpose of GLOBE at Night is to educate people about the problem of light pollution while collecting data to form a worldwide sample to gauge the impact of artificial nighttime light. No special training or knowledge is required to participate. All you do is go outside and look up at the constellation Orion. Then compare your observation to one of seven sample charts. Select the one that most closely matches your view and submit your result.
Point your internet browser to www.globeatnight.org and create your account today. The website hosts finder charts to help locate the constellation Orion, mythology and star lore, and suggested activities for families and teachers to help children learn more about the value and importance of preserving a dark night sky.
Since it began, GLOBE at Night has received more than 35,000 submissions from over 100 countries, a testament to the user-friendly nature of the program and reporting system. Multiple observations from the same and slightly different locations are encouraged as more data points will help to build a clearer model of artificial night sky brightness.
