#SIP/#ASTRO #3D: Can You See the #Stars? Who Has the #Darkest #Skies?

World map of artificial sky brightness.
The map shows, in twofold increasing steps, the artificial sky brightness as a ratio to the natural sky brightness (assumed to be 174 μcd/m2). The table indicates the meaning of each colour level.
Credit: F Falchi et al., Science Advances 10 Jun 2016: Vol. 2, no. 6, e1600377

ISSUED BY SCIENCE IN PUBLIC IN SPOTSWOOD, VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA, ON BEHALF OF ASTRO 3D, THE ARC CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE FOR ALL-SKY ASTROPHYSICS IN 3 DIMENSION

CAN YOU SEE THE STARS? WHO HAS THE DARKEST SKIES?

Scientists are asking all Australians to step outside on the longest night of the year to help them measure light pollution around the country.

“We’re expecting thousands of people to join us on Australia’s longest night, Sunday 21 June, to help researchers create a map of Australia’s darkest skies, and learn about light pollution and its effect on people, animals, and astronomy,” says Marnie Ogg, CEO and founder of the Australasian Dark Sky Alliance.

“Together, our observations will map how light pollution varies across Australia’s cities and regions, and make a Guinness World Records attempt for ‘Most users to take an online environmental sustainability lesson in 24 hours,’” says Marnie.

“The Australian night sky is amazing. Our galaxy, the Milky Way, is painted across the sky. It’s a view that encourages us to wonder what’s out there, amongst the billions of stars. It’s a view that encourages kids to take up science and physics. But most Australians can’t see it, their view of the sky is blinded by light pollution,” says astronomer Professor Lisa Kewley, director of the ARC Centre of Excellence in All Sky Astrophysics in 3 Dimensions (ASTRO 3D) who are supporting the project.

“Light pollution doesn’t just disrupt our view of The Milky Way. It disturbs wildlife, disrupt people’s sleep, and represents wasted electricity,” says Marnie.

“The information will help councils plan for darker skies and create opportunities for tourism,” says Marnie. “Dark sky parks and tours are already popping up around the country.”

“You can help us understand how light at night affects wildlife,” says wildlife ecologist Dr. Jen Martin from the University of Melbourne. “For example, light pollution from cities distracts bogong moths as they migrate from Queensland to Victoria’s alpine regions. If they don’t arrive on time, the endangered mountain pygmy possums that depend on them for food will starve.”

The project is supported by the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment, which has produced The National Light Pollution Guidelines for Wildlife. Other supporters include ASTRO 3D, AstroNZ, Bintel, ICRAR, Globe at Night, Unihedron, ANU, the International Dark Sky Alliance, Laing Simmons & Young, Waiheke Island Dark Sky Park and Dark Sky Traveller.

The Guinness World Records attempt starts from 1 pm AEST on Sunday 21 June 2020 and follows nightfall around the world. All the submissions will be added to the international database of Globe at Night and participants from across the planet are welcome to take part.

For more information and to register, visit https://worldrecordlight.thinkific.com/