081015 the great world wide star count

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The Great World Wide

Star Count
BY DR EMILY BALDWIN
ASTRONOMY NOW

Posted: October 15, 2008

Get ready for the International Year of Astronomy 2009 by joining in with the Dark Skies Awareness cornerstone project The Great World Wide Star Count during the week 20 October to 3 November 2008.

The project is part of the Windows to the Universe program, an international citizen science event that encourages everyone, astronomers and non-astronomers alike, to measure their local light pollution by counting stars in a given constellation and report their observations online. The Great World Wide Star Count is designed to raise awareness about light pollution as well as encourage learning in astronomy.

Northern hemisphere observers should count stars in the constellation of Cygnus, while southern hemisphere observers should find Sagittarius. Image: Windows to the Universe.

No prior experience is necessary, and all you need to do is follow these simple steps (detailed instructions and activity packs in eight languages are available on the Windows to the Universe website):
1. Choose your constellation. If you live in the northern hemisphere you are requested to observe Cygnus the swan, while southern hemisphere observers should choose Sagittarius.
2. Find the constellation at night, one hour after sunset. (Advice on how to locate the constellation is provided on the website)
3. Match your night-time sky to one of the magnitude charts given on the website to determine the faintest stars that you can see in your location.
4. Report your results online.
5. View the results of this international event online!

Observers should compare their view of the constellation with the magnitude charts provided. These charts show the view of Cygnus that correspond to magnitude 1 (left), 4 (middle) and 7 (right). Image: Windows to the Universe.

In 2007, people from 64 countries contributed more than 6,600 observations to the inaugural Star Count. In order to build momentum for IYA 2009, the organisers are hoping to double the participation this year. An ideal project to carry out at home, at your astronomy society or to incorporate into school homework over half term, learn more about how to get involved, and view last year’s report, at: www.windows.ucar.edu/citizen_science/starcount/.