Saturday, April 25, 2009 From 6 PM - 11 PM
:: LINKS ::
- Earth Lights on Google Maps
- Saving Dark Skies
- Harmony's Lighting
- The International Dark-Sky Association
- National Dark Sky Week
National Dark-Sky Week (NDSW) is an event, usually occurring in April, during which people in the United States are encouraged to turn out their unnecessary outdoor lights in order to temporarily reduce light pollution. Light pollution is a hazy blanket of light in the atmosphere caused by improper lighting fixtures which direct light up into the sky instead of down toward the ground. Not only does light pollution waste energy, but it also creates great problems for stargazers. This "blanket of light" causes the beauty of the night sky to fade, and if the problem of light pollution is not addressed now, we are destined to lose the beauty of the cosmos that have been a part of human civilization since its beginning. National Dark-Sky Week occurs on the week of the new moon in April since a full moon increases the light pollution. Therefore, NDSW for 2008 will be from March 29 to April 4.
How will National Dark-Sky Week reduce light pollution, given that it only lasts a week and not everyone in the country will participate? The main goal of NDSW is to raise awareness about the harmful effects of light pollution. It is not possible for all of the light pollution in this region of the world to disappear. However, it is possible to make a small difference in the quality of the night sky and inspire us all to preserve the beauty of the sky. Another main goal of this event is to promote the use of better lighting systems that direct light toward the ground where it should be and not up into the sky.
The vision of the International Year of Astronomy (IYA2009) is to help the citizens of the world rediscover their place in the Universe through the day- and night time sky, and thereby engage a personal sense of wonder and discovery. All humans should realize the impact of astronomy and basic sciences on our daily lives, and understand better how scientific knowledge can contribute to a more equitable and peaceful society.
The International Year of Astronomy (IYA2009) will be a global celebration of astronomy and its contributions to society and culture, highlighted by the 400th anniversary of the first use of an astronomical telescope by Galileo Galilei. The aim of the Year is to stimulate worldwide interest, especially among young people, in astronomy and science under the central theme "The Universe, Yours to Discover". IYA2009 events and activities will promote a greater appreciation of the inspirational aspects of astronomy that embody an invaluable shared resource for all nations.
The IYA2009 activities will take place at the global and regional levels, and especially at the national and local levels. National Nodes in each country have been formed to prepare activities for 2009. These Nodes establish collaborations between professional and amateur astronomers, science centres, educators and science communicators in preparing activities for 2009. Well over 140 countries are expected to take part in the activities in 2009. To help coordinate this huge global programme, and to provide an important resource for the participating countries, the IAU has established a central Secretariat and this website as the principal IYA resource for public, professionals, and media alike.
- GLOBE at Night (The GLOBE Program)
- Lightscapes (National Park Service)
- Earth Hour
- The Urban Wildlands Group
- Lights Out America
- Lightpollution.org.uk
- Dark Sky Destinations pamphlet (pdf) from the International Dark-Sky Association
Dark Sky related stories in the news:
- Night Skies To Star At Dark Sky Festival
- Lights at Night Are Linked to Breast Cancer
- Shedding Light on a Cause of Breast Cancer (Thinking Harder)
- Light at Night: How to Counter the Health Effects (US News & World Report)
- Light All Night (Science News)
- Bright Lights, Big Cancer (Science News)
- Deprived of Darkness (Science News)
- Turning Out the Lights - The dangers of a bright night are becoming more apparent (US News & World Report)
Women who live in neighborhoods with large amounts of nighttime illumination are more likely to get breast cancer than those who live in areas where nocturnal darkness prevails, according to an unusual study that overlaid satellite images of Earth onto cancer registries.
To learn more about getting started in astronomical photography:
- Introductory Articles from Sky & Telescope Magazine
- Introduction to Astrophotography from Astronomy Magazine
- Astrophotography 101 at Space.com
- Astrophotography Techniques by Jerry Lodriguss
- How To: Astrophotography 101 from Popular Photography Magazine
