April, 2015
Globe at Night Newsletter
So far in 2015, we have received over 8400 measurements! This year is Globe at Night’s 10-year anniversary! Can we make it to 20,000 measurements by the end of the year?
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Topics in this month’s newsletter:
Upcoming 2015 Campaign Dates
Northern Hemisphere
Orion: April 9-18
Southern Hemisphere
Crux: April 9-18
Globe at Night Spotlight
One of the ways to minimize light pollution is by covering, or shielding, outdoor lighting so that the light is pointed downward only where it is needed. Jennifer Maxwell’s middle school class at Tucson Country Day School in Tucson, AZ, USA experimented with this idea when they used Dark Skies Rangers Shielding Lab. Ms. Maxwell’s students used various materials (cups, aluminum foil, popsicle sticks, etc.) to build their very own shields. And at the end of the lab, they made their very own Globe at Night poster! Check out their poster and some of the creative shielding solutions they came up with below.
“Over 100” Club 2015 Update
Did you know that there is a Globe at Night “Over 100” club for countries and U.S. States? If your country or state submits over 100 Globe at Night measurements, you’re in the club!
Our “Over 100” Club members for countries in 2015 include: United States (3594), South Korea (1559), Croatia (443), Poland (411), Japan (306), Chile (282), United Kingdom (265), France (154), Canada (131), Puerto Rico (119), Costa Rica (109), Spain (106), Germany (101), and Macedonia (100).
Our “Over 100” Club members for US states include: Michigan (1611), Texas (656), Arizona (304), and Colorado (158).
Good job 2015 “Over 100” Club members! Keep up the great work!
Exceptional Data Points
Even though citizen scientists are sending in Globe at Night data points all over the world, there have been some exceptional locations where a lot of data points have been submitted. Like Busan, South Korea, who submitted 1547 data points so far in 2015! Great job Busan!
Globe at Night Podcast
Did you know that we have a Globe at Night podcast on the 365 Days of Astronomy podcast? Will the Dark Night be able to protect our dark skies from light pollution? Click here to find out and listen to the latest podcast that aired on April 1!
Globe at Night Call-To-Action
Ever wonder what happens to your Globe at Night measurements once you’ve submitted them? Both scientists and citizen-scientists have used them in a variety of projects. Most projects need however multiple data points at the same location over time. This map shows 5,000 locations on Earth where someone made an observation in the past but there hasn’t been a new observation within the last five years. If you can make an observation near to one of these points (or if you have a friend who lives close to one of them), it would be extremely helpful. Also, try taking measurements where no data points have been taken yet! See Global Astronomy Month’s Call-to-Action on behalf of Globe at Night.
Globe at Night in the News
Check out this great article “Surveying Skyglow” written by Jan Hattenbach that was included in the most recent issue of Sky and Telescope. The article explores light pollution and its effect on astronomy, and Globe at Night is talked about in the article as well! Also, all the measurements that the article talks about are measurements that go into our Globe at Night database. Click here to visit Jan Hattenbach’s blog and to find the link that allows Sky and Telescope members to download the article and non-members to buy the article.
The International Year of Light
Google+ Hangouts
On behalf of the International Year of Light 2015, the International Dark-Sky Association is hosting a series of 6 Google+ Hangouts, one every two months in 2015). Each hangout will address how light pollution affects specific topics. The first Google+ Hangout occurred on February 23, featured experts in the field of health, and addressed the effects of light pollution on human health.
The second Hangout occurred on March 19 and featured experts in the field of astronomy who addressed the effects of light pollution on astronomy and astronomical research. The remaining topics (in order) will be on safety, wildlife, energy, and wildlife and cultural heritage. Upcoming hangout dates and times will be featured in the next Globe at Night newsletter, so stay tuned!
Dark Sky Meter App
The International Year of Light has just released its own Dark Sky Meter app for iPhones! All you have to do is point your phone at the night sky, and it measures the night sky brightness for you. Then, you can use the IYL DSM app to easily submit your measurement which will be entered into the Globe at Night database and be used by researchers.
The DSM IYL2015 app will be available soon on iTunes! Check the Cosmic Light IYL Cornerstone website for updates.
April: Global Astronomy Month
Did you know that April is Global Astronomy Month? There are three programs that are taking place under the Dark Skies Awareness theme: Globe at Night, the International Earth and Sky Photo Contest, and the International Dark-Sky Association’s Dark Sky Week. Read below or click on this Astronomers Without Borders website to learn more and to see how you can get involved!
International Earth and Sky Photo Contest
“Over the Top” by Luc Perrot
It’s that time of year again. The World at Night is hosting the 6th annual International Earth and Sky Photo Contest in collaboration with the education and public outreach group of the National Optical Astronomy Observatory and Astronomers Without Borders. Contest submissions begin in March and end on Earth day, April 22. So start getting your photos ready! More information will follow in late February. Click here to read more about the contest and to see last year’s amazing candidates and winners.
International Dark Sky Week
April 13-18, 2015 is International Dark Sky week! Dark Sky Week (DSW)! National Dark Sky Week was created in 2003 by high-school student, Jennifer Barlow. In 2009 for the International Year of Astronomy, NDSW went international. Hosted by the International Dark-Sky Association, the International Dark Sky Week (IDSW) has grown to become a worldwide event and a key component of Global Astronomy Month. The goals of IDSW are to appreciate the beauty of the night sky and to raise awareness of how poor-quality lighting creates light pollution.
There are lots of great ways to participate. IDSW is a great time to host a neighborhood star party to introduce the idea of preserving a dark night sky to your community or to evaluate your own lighting to make sure it is dark sky friendly. The more people who light only when and where it is needed, use energy efficient lighting and shield lights, the less light pollution there will be.
Visit the International Dark-Sky Association’s IDSW page and find some great ways to fight light pollution via the link for the 2014 IDSW page. Follow the Dark Skies Awareness blog and check out these Dark Sky Resources. And share your experiences on social media sites using #GAM2015 and #IDSW2015.
