Telescopes in Hand, Astronomers Zero in on Light Pollution
Information from aspiring and veteran astronomers was published in The Independent about the state of light pollution in Britain.
A number of viewpoints were discussed, from aspiring astronomers to those that have been in the field for decades.
The dialog surrounds Galloway Forest Park, an astronomical destination for stargazers.
Evidence that word was spreading in the astronomy community about the night sky view at Galloway Forest Park became apparent late at night.
Keith Muir, who works for Forestry Commission Scotland, started noticing the park monitoring equipment showing droves of people driving to the forest late at night.
Initially suspecting suspicious behavior, Keith and police were fascinated to find a group of individuals on stargazer expeditions.
Groups of aspiring astronomers are relishing a view found in fewer and fewer areas as a result of light pollution.
Galloway Forest Park is one of a small number of destinations in Britain where a clear view of the night sky remains.
This is compelling enough to put light pollution in a bad light.
It is important that citizens do everything possible to eliminate the threat of light pollution by ensuring that unwelcome light doesn't shine upwards into the night sky.
City planners can also work towards enacting dark sky ordinances that will preserve the night skies in rural and urban areas.
City planners and citizens would benefit from the advice of veteran astronomers like Dave Crawford, PhD.
In the article he describes how in 1958, stargazing wasn't as difficult as it is today.
Modern civilization has evolved around the night sky.
Ancient peoples celebrated the wonders of the constellations.
In present times, it's unfortunate that people living in urban areas can't even identify the constellations.
Areas such as Galloway Forest Park still have amazingly clear views of the night sky because a growing segment of the world is working to reclaim the night skies from light pollution.
According to The Independent, Galloway Forest Park was awarded special "dark sky park" status by the Dark-Sky Association (IDA).
It is clear that the movement to eliminate light pollution is growing, because those that look to the stars for study and inspiration should have constellations readily available to observe, not just memories in a document to look at.
As homeowners we can do our part by turning off outside lights when not needed and replacing light fixtures with great looking, energy saving dark sky lighting.
A number of viewpoints were discussed, from aspiring astronomers to those that have been in the field for decades.
The dialog surrounds Galloway Forest Park, an astronomical destination for stargazers.
Evidence that word was spreading in the astronomy community about the night sky view at Galloway Forest Park became apparent late at night.
Keith Muir, who works for Forestry Commission Scotland, started noticing the park monitoring equipment showing droves of people driving to the forest late at night.
Initially suspecting suspicious behavior, Keith and police were fascinated to find a group of individuals on stargazer expeditions.
Groups of aspiring astronomers are relishing a view found in fewer and fewer areas as a result of light pollution.
Galloway Forest Park is one of a small number of destinations in Britain where a clear view of the night sky remains.
This is compelling enough to put light pollution in a bad light.
It is important that citizens do everything possible to eliminate the threat of light pollution by ensuring that unwelcome light doesn't shine upwards into the night sky.
City planners can also work towards enacting dark sky ordinances that will preserve the night skies in rural and urban areas.
City planners and citizens would benefit from the advice of veteran astronomers like Dave Crawford, PhD.
In the article he describes how in 1958, stargazing wasn't as difficult as it is today.
Modern civilization has evolved around the night sky.
Ancient peoples celebrated the wonders of the constellations.
In present times, it's unfortunate that people living in urban areas can't even identify the constellations.
Areas such as Galloway Forest Park still have amazingly clear views of the night sky because a growing segment of the world is working to reclaim the night skies from light pollution.
According to The Independent, Galloway Forest Park was awarded special "dark sky park" status by the Dark-Sky Association (IDA).
It is clear that the movement to eliminate light pollution is growing, because those that look to the stars for study and inspiration should have constellations readily available to observe, not just memories in a document to look at.
As homeowners we can do our part by turning off outside lights when not needed and replacing light fixtures with great looking, energy saving dark sky lighting.
