Help Make A Better Map of Global Light Pollution

[n2doc]

By Dave Mosher March 22, 2011 | 1:03 pm | Categories: Space


You can help build the best global map of light pollution, the uniquely modern problem that has stolen starlight from most of the urbanized world.

From Mar. 22 through Apr. 6, the GLOBE at Night website will collect the public’s measurements of the night sky. Anyone can participate by comparing their local view of specific constellations with magnitude charts on the site. The event is in its sixth year, and organizers hope to surpass the 17,800 observations they collected in 2010.

“With half of the world’s population now living in cities, many urban dwellers have never experienced the wonderment of pristinely dark skies and maybe never will,” reads the GLOBE at Night’s website. “This loss, caused by light pollution, is a concern on many fronts: safety, energy conservation, cost, health and effects on wildlife, as well as our ability to view the stars.”

Light pollution is caused by stray artificial light from sources that are too bright, poorly aimed or both. Similar to how sunlight makes the sky glow blue, artificial light scatters in the atmosphere to create a dull glow that obscures stars and celestial objects. Airborne pollutants exacerbate the problem.

more
http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2011/03/light-pollution-map/

[Brickbat]

1. As an amateur astronomer who lives in one of the black areas on the map, I find it really sad how

few people are familiar with the stars.

[jayfish]

3. As someone who lives in a white zone;...

I agree with you. I do have access to green and black zones though.

[RC]

2. A symptom, among other things, of too many people.

As a kid, before all the lights, the night was never dark. Now the insides of our homes are lit up at night like the summer sun is shining in. We go outside and are blind. Our solution then is to light up the night as if it were still daylight.

I miss the stars and the Milky Way.

[Locrian]

4. cool chart

I'd like to see one with "noise" pollution as well.

[denbot]

5. I live in a "orange" to "red" area, on the coast near Los Angeles.

Surprisingly enough the South Bay area has great viewing because of the marine inversion layer. Stars are not so bright, but you can see the Lyra Ring Nebula. What is great here is planetary viewing. The skies are very steady do to the cool air above.