Embargoed until 01.00 Saturday 06
February
- From 6-14 February, CPRE, the countryside charity will call
on people to count stars from their garden or window as part of
its annual nationwide star count
- A map of the night sky will indicate light pollution levels
across the country
-
Data will be compared to 2020 to see whether lockdown had
an impact and be used for vital lobbying efforts for darker
skies.
People are being urged to take part in an annual Star Count
to record our view of the night sky. CPRE, the countryside
charity is working with the British Astronomical Association’s
Commission for Dark Skies to find indications of light pollution
levels across the country.
By counting the number of stars they see in the Orion
constellation, citizen scientists will help map the best and
worst places in England to enjoy a star-filled night sky. The
results will be compared with 2020’s findings, gathered before
coronavirus restrictions took hold, which revealed that 61% of
participants live with severe light pollution.
Many studies found changes in other types of pollution
during lockdown compared to before, but until now, few have
focused on the often overlooked, but hugely important, problem of
light pollution.
Light pollution means many people only experience a limited
view of the night sky, and it also disrupts wildlife’s natural
patterns. By showing where views are most affected by light
pollution, CPRE can use this evidence in crucial lobbying efforts
to protect and enhance the nation’s dark skies, improving our
health, wellbeing, wildlife and the environment.
Crispin Truman, chief executive of CPRE, the
countryside charity, said:
‘A starry night sky is one of the most magical sights the
countryside can offer, connecting us to the nature we all love
and the wonders of the wider universe. Dark skies are also
crucial for our health and for that of wildlife. Lockdown and the
coronavirus have reminded us about how good for us the
countryside can be.
‘But many places suffer from light pollution, bleaching out
the night sky. We want to change this. By taking part in Star
Count, people will be helping us to lobby the government for more
protection of this too often overlooked, but vital, part of our
countryside’.
Bob Mizon, UK coordinator, British Astronomical
Association’s Commission for Dark Skies, said:
‘Turning back the tide of light pollution brings darker
night skies and improvements to the well-being of humans,
wildlife and the environment. In its three decades of working
with the CPRE towards these goals, we have seen increased public
and Parliamentary awareness of the importance of our view of the
universe above.
‘The CPRE Star Count is an important part of this work,
especially in these abnormal times when we have a chance to see
whether changes in our activities are having any positive effect
on the atmosphere and our view of the night sky.’
ENDS
Notes to editors
About Star Count
Star Count is an annual citizen science project from CPRE,
the countryside charity and the British Astronomical Association.
From 6-14 February 2021, the public are asked to look heavenwards
during a clear night and count how many stars within Orion they
can spot.
Results from Star Count will help make a map of where
star-spotters are enjoying deep, dark skies and where people’s
views are affected by light pollution. By showing on a map where
light pollution is most serious, we can work nationally and with
local councils and others to decide what to do about it
This year we’re asking everyone to take part from home -
people can stargaze from their garden, balcony, doorstep or even
bedroom window.
