Light polution

goosey · #1 (**permalink**) 20-01-2012, 10:52 AM

Although I live in a town I am lucky enough to say that light polution isn't such a terrible problem for me depending on where I stand.

If I stand in the front garden and face North or East I am faced with an intense orange glow from the street lights, lights from the North Sea Canal and the worst of all Tata steel, I cant see the buildings/factory from the house just the glow of them in the sky.
But if I stand in my little garden out the back or on the balcony an look west it's great - I often (depending on the weather) get very clear views of the sky though I am surrounded by houses.
I did go on an organised night walk in the National Park Zuid Kennemerland in September and that was fantastic. It was pitch dark, I couldn't see my hand in front of my face but the heavens - wow

!!!

In the UK from today 20th January to Friday 27th January you can do a star count to ascertain light polution in your area, the more people who take part the better. The result should show the darkest and best areas for stargazing.

If you look for the constellation Orion in the southern sky and count the stars between (but not including) the 4 corner stars, the three bright stars which form Orion's belt should be included in your count. This should be done with the naked eye not a telescope.

With a bit a luck with a whole week to go at you should have one clear night to have a go.

You can read more about the details and how to join in here

Star Count 2012 | Campaign to Protect Rural England

I can't officially join in but I will just for my own pleasure!
Goosey's results are pending

artdemole · #2 (**permalink**) 20-01-2012, 01:40 PM

Missed this last year so hope to do the count Monday night.Will look for some clear patches as well.

artdemole · #3 (**permalink**) 20-01-2012, 01:46 PM

Street light at front of bungalow.One on the other end 3 builings down.Roofs obscure most of the light if I stay on patio.Good job There is a field at rear that is used for horses.This field has a slope which goes down into a valley.So the back is a best place for me to view the skies.

goosey · #4 (**permalink**) 21-01-2012, 07:04 PM

I tried last night although there were clear skies in parts and I could see some stars it was also cloudy and I couldn't pick out Orions belt to start from to find the four corner stars.
Tonight I have been much luckier, its very windy but what clouds are around are small and wispy and blow over quickly and Orions was easy to pick out.
At 8.45pm (CET) I was a bit disappointed to only be able to see 7 stars within the box, I expected more. I was able to see many more with binoculars of course

.

I will go out over the next week and see if I can see more any other time.

So then, is seven actually good? Has anyone else decided to check it out for themselves? It doesn't matter if you aren't in the UK we can just do it for WATW

.

artdemole · #5 (**permalink**) 22-01-2012, 11:40 AM

...6-10 Visible gets a Brown Star on the UK map.6th position in numbers.Red Star Being lowest at fewer than 5...Hope it gets better for you.

goosey · #6 (**permalink**) 22-01-2012, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by artdemole

...6-10 Visible gets a Brown Star on the UK map.6th position in numbers.Red Star Being lowest at fewer than 5...Hope it gets better for you.

Thanks artdemol - I wonder how many you have to be able to see to get top rating (I presume thats a gold star

)?
Do you have a link for the figures and star ratings?

Have you managed anything since it started?

Its too cloudy here tonight at the mo' to check it out again.

artdemole · #7 (**permalink**) 23-01-2012, 10:24 AM

Purple Star for more than 30.That was on 2011 count.

Will try tonight as clear skies forecast for my area.No luck yet even in the patches.

Home | Campaign to Protect Rural England

goosey · #8 (**permalink**) 23-01-2012, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by artdemole

Purple Star for more than 30.That was on 2011 count.

Will try tonight as clear skies forecast for my area.No luck yet even in the patches.

Home | Campaign to Protect Rural England

Thats a great map isn't it, thanks

, I hadn't even notice the PDF links when I looked at the site, I was that busy reading the rules

.

My 7 stars seem quite pathetic, I will keep checking

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Drosera · #9 (**permalink**) 23-01-2012, 07:10 PM

Something for me in the Spring!

goosey · #10 (**permalink**) 23-01-2012, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drosera

Something for me in the Spring!

Why the spring and not now?

Drosera · #11 (**permalink**) 24-01-2012, 05:50 AM

Yes Goosey you are right - should do it now. Only thing is that it is very cold at night when the sky is clear - could do it from home of course!

artdemole · #12 (**permalink**) 24-01-2012, 10:43 AM

..Cool crisps nights bring better viewing of the Stars.Last night 10 stars on view in the box.So only the brown/orange star.1 up from the bottom position.Will try Thursday/Friday night as Clear skies forecast for my area..

artdemole · #13 (**permalink**) 27-01-2012, 12:05 PM

Did my count at 21:45 local time.Managed 13 stars in the box.Position 5 in the table with yellow star.Result was entered into survey.

goosey · #14 (**permalink**) 27-01-2012, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by artdemole

Did my count at 21:45 local time.Managed 13 stars in the box.Position 5 in the table with yellow star.Result was entered into survey.

That's good Art

.

It has been a clear evening here but still only 7 stars in the box for me again.
What is odd though, is that I know three of the stars are different than ones I saw on the 21st, then I saw a cluster of three in the bottom left

.

Ratatoskr · #15 (**permalink**) 07-03-2012, 07:32 PM

Nice to see a forum on Astronomy on this site.
I have some astronomy education and I do astro-photography but not as much as I'd like since I'm still lacking a gps tripod (expensive. saving up money).

In this thread I thought I'd add a link to a map of light pollution.
The World Atlas of the Artificial Night Sky Brightness
The night sky in the World - Pierantonio Cinzano

goosey · #16 (**permalink**) 08-03-2012, 06:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ratatoskr

Nice to see a forum on Astronomy on this site.
I have some astronomy education and I do astro-photography but not as much as I'd like since I'm still lacking a gps tripod (expensive. saving up money).

In this thread I thought I'd add a link to a map of light pollution.
The World Atlas of the Artificial Night Sky Brightness
The night sky in the World - Pierantonio Cinzano

Yes it is nice to have this forum now

.
When you see the world map like that, it really does show the density of light polution (which can also a problem for moths and confuses them), looking at The Netherlands in the grand scheme of things it makes me wonder (and feel very fortunate) how I ever see anything at all!