UTexas: McDonald Observatory Launches Dark Skies Initiative

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bystander
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UTexas: McDonald Observatory Launches Dark Skies Initiative

Post by bystander » Tue Jun 22, 2010 4:56 pm

McDonald Observatory Launches Dark Skies Initiative
University of Texas | McDonald Observatory | 22 June 2010
The University of Texas at Austin McDonald Observatory is kicking off a campaign to promote awareness of the causes, effects, and solutions to light pollution — stray light shone into the sky where it’s wasted, rather than down on the ground where it’s useful.
Click to play embedded YouTube video.
The Observatory will be promoting dark skies awareness through its nationally syndicated StarDate radio program, its Spanish-language radio program Universo, and through online video and summer programs on-site at its home in West Texas.

The radio programs will feature dark skies information daily in the coming week (June 28-July 4). For more information on these programs and to find a station in your area, visit the StarDate site and the Universo site.

The Observatory has produced a three-minute video detailing easy steps that we can all take to preserve the night sky. This video is posted at the Observatory’s Dark Skies Web site, and on its new YouTube channel.

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Re: UTexas: McDonald Observatory Launches Dark Skies Initiat

Post by owlice » Tue Jun 22, 2010 5:55 pm

Yay! for this! I hope it helps!!!
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Nature: In search of dark nights

Post by bystander » Wed Jul 07, 2010 6:56 pm

In search of dark nights
Nature News | 07 July 2010
Image
Nights dark enough for star-gazing are
important not just for astronomy, but for
the health of many species. CORBIS
Artificial light at night can disrupt everything from astronomers' views of the stars to the path-finding abilities of migrating animals. The impacts of artificial light on wildlife was the focus of a symposium at the 24th annual International Congress for Conservation Biology, held 3–7 July in Edmonton, Alberta.

Unusually, the symposium was funded by a group of Edmonton astronomers - the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada Edmonton Centre, which includes both professionals and amateurs. The society also invited the speakers to planet-gaze at their observatory and chat about their common problem, light pollution.

The symposium was the latest manifestation of a growing collaboration between astronomers and conservationists, aimed at extinguishing unnecessary night lighting. Astronomers want to see the night sky better, whereas conservationists want to spare wildlife the disorienting effects of a sky illuminated at all hours of the day and night.

Lights at night have long been known to confuse migrating birds, which are drawn mothlike to the beams. Some crash into brilliantly lit skyscrapers, lighthouses or offshore oilrigs. Many others are lured off course by the glow of cities on the horizon.

Sea-turtle hatchlings, too, are dazzled by bright light. Normally, they move away from the dark shadows of dune vegetation and towards moonlight or starlight reflected on the sea. In the presence of bright artificial light, they end up wandering in the wrong direction on the beach.

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NS: Let there be night, for wildlife's sake

Post by bystander » Thu Jul 15, 2010 2:33 pm

Let there be night, for wildlife's sake
New Scientist | Life | 15 July 2010
IT IS time to take back the night for wildlife. That was the rallying call from a landmark session on light pollution at the Society for Conservation Biology on 4 July in Edmonton, Canada.

The disruptive effects on animals of our penchant for bright lights has rarely impinged on public consciousness. Notable exceptions are when turtle hatchlings head inland to the bright lights of a beach resort instead of the safety of the moonlit sea, or birds collide en masse with brightly lit buildings.

It is rapidly becoming clear, though, that light pollution subtly interferes with the growth, behaviour and survival of many nocturnal species - not just those that hit the headlines.

The threats posed by the humble street lamp do not rival the wholesale destruction of tropical forests and other habitats, or indeed the threat of climate change. But participants in the session at the Edmonton meeting agreed that planners should spare a thought for wildlife when installing lighting.

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