To make sure that we can all enjoy starlit nights, CPRE, The countryside charity, wants your help in measuring what effect light pollution is having on our views of the galaxy.
What is Star Count?
Dark and starry skies are special. Nothing beats looking upwards to see velvety blackness, with twinkling constellations as far as the eye can see. Our buildings and roads emit light, though, and this can affect our view of truly dark skies, and cause problems for wildlife. CPRE want to make sure that we can all enjoy starlit nights, and we need your help in measuring what effect light is having on our views of the galaxy.
The best way to see how many stars we can all see in the sky is … to count them! Every year, around February, CPRE ask people from all across the country to become ‘citizen scientists’ and look heavenwards for one night. You don’t need any special equipment – it’s all done with the naked eye. It’s great for kids too, in fact CPRE have even created a free Star Count activity pack for kids aged five and up, which you can download here.
More information about CPRE’s star count is available here, as well as details of how to register. CPRE London’s web page is here.
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