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SKY TIPS MAY

RayJones — Tue, 08 May 2012 03:24:09 -1100

Night Sky Network

RayJones — Tue, 08 May 2012 03:14:46 -1100

Hello NSN StarGazers!

Have you seen the giant sunspot coming around the northeast limb of the Sun? Spaceweather.com reports that the 100,000 km stretch of sunspots is “crackling with M-Class flares.” Are you ready to bring views of these sunspots to your visitors?

1. The Magnetic Sun Telecon this Wednesday, May 9th
2. Are you ready for the Solar Eclipse and the Transit of Venus?
3. AstroByte: 86% of adults are using social media
4. Videos for the ToV and the Solar Eclipse

2012 First Quarter ASTROLOG

RayJones — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 06:43:54 -1100

The First quarter Astrolog has been published. Click on the following link to review: http://www.cfas.org/filemgmt_data/files/AstrologVol%2037%20Q1%282012%29.pdf .

IDA PRESS RELEASE FEB 2012

RayJones — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 10:30:47 -1100

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International Dark-Sky Association
PRESS RELEASE
6 February 2012

Big Bend National Park Designated as International Dark Sky Park

Contact

International Dark-Sky Association
Scott Kardel
Tel: 520 293 3198
Email:
wskardel@darksky.org

Big Bend National Park
David Elkowitz
Tel: 432 477 1107
Email:
David_Elkowitz@nps.gov

Big Bend National Park

Big Bend National Park - Click here to visit the official park website and here to read their information on stargazing.

Information on Light Pollution

More information on light pollution and IDA is available:

http://www.darksky.org/page/about-ida

Park Recognized for Excellence in Night Sky Conservation

The stars at night are big and bright in Texas' Big Bend National Park. The park was recently designated as an International Dark Sky Park, one of now just ten in the world. Big Bend National Park (BBNP) came in at the 'Gold Tier' level, meaning that the skies above the park are free from all but the most minor impacts of light pollution.

IDA Executive Director Bob Parks presents award to Park Superintendent Bill Wellman.

Measurements by the National Park Service Night Sky Team show that the Big Bend Region offers the darkest measured skies in the lower 48 states making it a worthy jewel to the worldwide crown of dark sky oases recognized by the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA).

With an area of over 801,000 acres, Big Bend National Park is also the largest International Dark Sky Park to date.

In the southwest of Texas on the Mexican border, clear skies, temperate nights and miles of undeveloped space in the vast and remote Chihuahuan Desert provide an unforgettable stargazing experience. The area, within 150 miles of the McDonald Observatory, is a recognized astronomy haven.

Regional efforts to protect the night sky have made tremendous gains in recent years, with towns such as Alpine and Van Horn passing strict lighting ordinances. Active efforts by city councils and astronomy enthusiasts give a coherent voice to the dark sky movement that surrounds and involves BBNP. In 2009, the development of Sierra la Rana successfully promoted the area's beautiful night skies to homebuyers earning them 'Development of Distinction' honors from IDA. This award is given to small communities that have moved to preserve their environment from unnecessary light at night.

This healthy effort reaches new heights with the BBNP's Gold Tier recognition, which recognizes not only their dark skies, but also their excellence in night sky stewardship. The park has shown initiative in creation of park lighting guidelines and has upgraded nearly every outdoor light fixture within the park. Upgrades were made possible by a Best Practices grant from Musco Lighting. This type of partnership between business and national parks has never been done before. The exterior lights all conform to minimum lighting guidelines, and the park's lighting energy use has dropped by a jaw-dropping 98%.

BBNP's ongoing outreach efforts are designed to teach visitors about the importance of protecting the night sky. The natural darkness of the park offers "seeing" opportunities valuable for gathering scientific data and for exposure to a rare and breathtaking view of the cosmos.

BBNP's stargazing program is held frequently throughout the year. Activities include night hikes, telescope viewing, and some sessions focusing on night sky preservation. BBNP is discussing collaboration with two local astronomy societies and McDonald Observatory.

In 2012, BBNP plans to unroll a K-12 education program via the Teacher Ranger Teacher program that will focus on "the significance of darkness, its influence on the earth and its importance to our understanding of life." BBNP will be used as a "natural laboratory" for some lessons.

Extensive sky quality monitoring has been ongoing since 2003. The near virgin skies offer a rare opportunity to create baseline measurements of actual sky brightness vs. anthropogenic light (light pollution) as well as measure differences in air quality.

The National Park Service and BBNP are developing "Interim Outdoor Lighting Guidelines" that reflect the aforementioned values in a long term, sustainable, and adoptable doctrine with intended application in numerous national parks. The guidelines, which encourage illumination levels sometimes significantly lower than currently practiced, provide parks with a planning strategy and best management practices.

Stars over Big Bend National Park. Photo by Tyler Nordgren

About the IDSPlaces Program

IDA established the International Dark Sky Places conservation program in 2001 to recognize excellent stewardship of the night sky. Designations are based on stringent outdoor lighting standards and innovative community outreach. Since the program began, four communities and nine parks also have received International Dark Sky designations.

To learn more about the IDSPlaces program, please contact Rowena Davis at rowena@darksky.org.

Website:

http://www.darksky.org/IDSPlaces

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Spring 2012 Astrofest Registration

RayJones — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 10:22:02 -1100

REGISTRATION for CFAS Spring Astrofest is now closed. All sites have been filled. If you have not been notified of registration completed by the CFAS Treasurer, you are not registered. Call Ray Jones at 407-221-6779 if you have questions.

Astrophotographer John Chumak in Mount Dora

Francisco — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 12:16:54 -1100

I received this message from a fellow astronomer...Hope somebody will take the opportunity to go

This is the link of my friend astrophotographer John Chumak from the Miami Valley Astronomical Society in Dayton Ohio go to the Publications tap on the top of the page you will see where his picture made Time magazine's cover.

http://galacticimages.com/catalog/index.php

He will be displaying his astrophotography in Mount Dora Arts Festival

Scheduled for Feb. 4-5, 2012, the 37th Annual Mount Dora Arts Festival is one of the one of the largest in the state with about 285 artists from all over the world.

http://www.lakecountyfl.gov/hometown_highlights/mount_dora_arts_festival.aspx

Clear Skies

Stargazer for 2012

RayJones — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 09:02:14 -1100

Stargazer Friends:

The stargazer article is published monthly. For the current Stargazer column (topic: "2012 Night Sky Highlights"), go to http://stargazerpaul.com/sg-2012.htm.

Regards, Paul

Stargazer appears twice-monthly in the Waco Tribune-Herald and 60+ other newspapers. Paul Derrick is an amateur astronomer who lives in Waco. To be added to (or removed from) this free e-mail reminder, send your e-mail address (and name and city/state) to paulderrickwaco@aol.com.

*********************************
Paul Derrick
918 N. 30th St. * Waco, TX 76707
254-753-6920 (home) * 254-723-6346 (cell)
See my Stargazer website at:
* * stargazerpaul.com * *

IDA Dec

RayJones — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 16:33:33 -1100

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International Dark-Sky Association
Night Watch

02 December 2011 - Volume 3, Issue 15

Safe and Sound

Burglars afraid of the dark? Crime falls when Bristol street lights are turned off

This is Bristol - UK, 25 November 2011

Police in the Bristol area have made a startling discovery - burglars are scared of the dark. Crime has gone down in some areas to the north of the city since street lights have been turned off during the night, because thieves apparently need the light to carry out their crimes.

Parish councillors in Oldland agreed to the switch-off earlier this year which has already saved council taxpayers an estimated £16,000 in electricity bills. Councillor Ron Hardie, who represents Cadbury Heath, said: "The police have told us they have not seen any notable increase in crime. "In fact, in some areas, there has been a reduction of 20 per cent. "I understand from the police that burglars don't like it when it's dark. "They like to be able to see their escape route and they like to 'case' a premises before they strike. "They would attract too much attention if they were using torches."

Police figures show that in Frampton Cotterell, the crime rate has gone down by 50 per cent, in Thornbury by 28 per cent and Bradley Stoke, 17 per cent, compared with a year ago...

Image by Becky Ramotowski

Positive results for part night lighting scheme

South Gloucestershire Council website (UK), 23 Novemver 2011

Measures to conserve energy by switching off South Gloucestershire's street lights between midnight and 5am are reducing the district's energy costs and carbon emissions without compromising community safety, council and police figures show. Council data show that the 4,000 lights now switched to 'part night' lighting are on track to save £55,000 a year in energy costs, while reducing carbon emissions by a quarter. Meanwhile separate police figures reveal that recorded night time crime levels have continued to fall in areas where the scheme has been introduced...

Dimming the lights

By Margaret Hartley, Daily Gazette - NY, USA, 14 November 2011

The police chief of Rockford, Ill., where about 15 percent of the streetlights have been removed, said he's seen no evidence that crime increased when streetlights were removed. But it's something the city will keep an eye on. City managers said they worked with the police and engineering departments to study which streetlights should be removed, the Rockford Register Star reported...

Rockford, IL shuts off streetlights to save money

NPR - USA, 08 November 2011

RAZ: Yes, I mean, 15 percent of the lights, that's a lot because we're talking about a city of 150,000.I'm wondering if there is a trade-off here. I mean, obviously, the city is saving money, but what about public safety issues?

CURRY: You know, there were a lot of questions posed to the police chief. And the police chief told the council that there really are no studies that show direct correlation. And he is of the belief that, directly, the lighting doesn't affect crime...

One People, One Sky,

One App!

SkySafari3: Buy a great app and support a great astronomy organization. From now to 8 December, Southern Stars will donate 40% of SkySafari app sales to Astronomers Without Borders. Get yours today!

Read more >>

Homer Glen, Illinois Becomes
International Dark Sky Community

Homer Glen recognized for excellence in night sky conservation

IDA Press Release - AZ, USA, 29 November, 2011

A primary goal of the International Dark Sky Places program is to improve sky quality relative to an area, and Homer Glen has worked hard to provide a respite to the famously excessive lighting of Chicago. Sky glow prohibits astronomical quality skies, but Homer Glen's statewide leadership and education campaign for smart lighting policy has earned the recognition of this prestigious award...

Darker cities, brighter stars

By Nate Berg, The Atlantic Cities - USA, 01 December 2011

The village has adopted and implemented a new lighting ordinance that focuses on reducing sky glow. Officials have replaced 184 light polluting street light fixtures with lower wattage lights that have shielding to block light from pointing up into the sky...

Homer Glen earns international honor for outdoor light rules

By Michelle Mullins, Southtown Star - IL, USA, 24 November 2011 The village has been working on reducing the amount of light pollution since it incorporated in 2001, said Trustee Margaret Sabo, chairman of the environment committee. In 2007, the village board approved an ordinance regulating outdoor lighting and conserving energy. "I believe this shows that the village is a leader," Sabo said...

Designated IDSCommunities are Flagstaff, Arizona; Borrego Springs, California; Sark Island (The world's first "Dark Sky Island") and Homer Glen, Illinois. More on IDA's International Dark Sky Communities >>

Vote to Help IDA Refresh the Night Sky!

Every year the Pepsi Refresh project gives away tens of thousands of dollars in grants to improve communities. IDA has proposed a project to bring access to the starry night to urban areas. Projects are chosen by popular vote. Please vote EVERY DAY in the month of December and help IDA bring you the night sky though SUBURBAN OUTREACH SITES.

VOTE NOW

The grant will help IDA designate Suburban Outreach Sites around the country. IDA will coordinate action with our Chapters and astronomy clubs to select a safe place with a beautiful nighttime atmosphere. IDA will create "fresh" programming ideas and event coordination, and even offer free materials on how to dim city lights and bring back the stars.

VOTE NOW

Night Sky Protection

BLM holds first meeting to answer questions on proposed mine expansion

By Mark Havnes, Salt Lake City Tribune - UT, USA, 30 November 2011

Keith Rigtrup, district planner for the Color Country office of the BLM in Cedar City, has led the effort to prepare the draft environmental impact statement for the proposed expansion. He said concerns expressed by people Tuesday had to do with traffic and possible light pollution with the mine's proximity to Bryce Canyon National Park...

Mount Pocono borough gets businesses to cut light pollution

By Michael Sadowski, Pocono Record - PA, USA, 28 November 2011

When Mount Pocono was a quiet community, something like light pollution never entered the discussion. Then came the people. Then came the businesses. Then came the lights. The borough took a measure to halt light pollution by passing a light ordinance limiting how bright business parking lots and buildings can be at night...

Council shines to proposed dark sky bylaw

By Louis Tam, Cottage Country Now - Ontario, Canada, 23 November 2011

Gravenhurst is exploring the possibility of passing a new bylaw to keep the stars visible at night. Council passed a resolution during a meeting Nov. 15 to have staff draft a new dark sky bylaw, aimed at reducing the amount of light pollution emanating upwards from the town at night. The decision was made after supportive delegations from Tammy Paterson and Michael Foster, members of the town's environmental advisory committee...

Hong Kong advised on light pollution

Build - UK, 22 November 2011

Carl Gardner, Director of CSG Lighting Consultancy Ltd, was recently invited by the city authorities in Hong Kong to advise them on ways that the city and its local businesses can reduce the problems of light nuisance and light pollution...

Dark skies law would cut light in rural areas

By Dakota Smith, Daily Breeze - CA, USA, 13 November 2011

Newcomers who put up street lights in Cold Creek in the 1970s got a quick lesson in lighting etiquette, according to local legend. The bulbs were immediately shot out by old-timers - a message that a dark sky was preferred over a lit one in this rural Los Angeles County community. Decades later, darkness is still preferred. Passed by the Regional Planning Commission last week, the Dark Skies Ordinance cracks down on overly bright and obtrusive lighting, fining residents whose lights "trespass" onto other properties. The new rules empower homeowners annoyed by a next-door neighbor's barn light, or irked by a nearby high school football field's flood lights. First proposed by Supervisor Michael Antonovich in 2008, the ordinance is intended to preserve the unique character of the county's rural areas, which are increasingly being surrounded by new development, as well as conserve energy...

Video by Princeton Astronomer urges more dark sky friendly fixtures

10,000 solutions.org

Looking Up?

Alien bright lights, big city could reveal ET

By Lisa Grossman, New Scientist - 03 November 2011 Extraterrestrial civilisations could give themselves away by the night-time glow of their cities. And if there is one lurking in the outer reaches of our solar system, we are ready to find it...

Dark Sky Comment

Image by Dave Wymer

Light pollution kills the night

By Joan Trossman Bien, Morepark Patch - CA, USA, 27 November 2011

Truth is, dark skies are the future. It is an environmental movement that has finally captured the attention of the public and is no longer the darling of just the academic and amateur stargazers...

Power outage enhanced night sky's splendor

By Lee Widmer (letter to the editor) The Morning Call - PA, USA, 28 November 2011 We had to scramble and struggle a bit with the generator, but night time brought a wonderful view. No overhead lights from the neighbors causing light pollution so the ensuing darkness created a superb star show...

Resident: Fix new hospital lighting, landscaping

(Opinion) By Shelia Kolesaire, Morristown Patch -NJ, USA, 09 November 2011

In light of this, it is difficult to understand why the hospital and the Board of Adjustment/Town would not consider the Sustainable Jersey initiative called "Reduce Light Pollution Action" as it reviewed the hospital's lighting plans. This action aims to reduce destructive impacts like glare, light trespass and sky glow caused by inappropriate or misaligned light fixtures...

Upcoming Events

Hello Night Sky Network Members,

We hope you'll join us this Thursday, November 17th for a teleconference all about Exploring the Lunar Atmosphere. Brian Day from the NASA Lunar Science Institute will be sharing updates on a new generation of robotic lunar explorers and how they are revolutionizing our understanding of the Moon. He will also be highlighting an opportunity for the public to participate in NASA lunar science research.

To join the Teleconference on Thursday, November 17th at 6:00 pm PST (9:00 pm Eastern) call the toll-free conference call line:

1-888-455-9236

Call anytime after 5:45 pm the evening of the telecon. An operator will answer and:

- You will be asked for the passcode: NIGHT SKY NETWORK

- You will be asked to give your NAME and the CLUB you belong to, and number of people listening with you. (Central Florida Astronomical Society)

You can download the PowerPoint, view it online, and find more information here:

http://nightsky.jpl.nasa.gov/download-view.cfm?Doc_ID=483

We look forward to "seeing" you there.

~Vivian

Hubble News Nov

RayJones — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 05:11:01 -1100

Hubble Uncovers Tiny Galaxies Bursting with Star Birth in Early Universe

Using its near-infrared vision to peer 9 billion years back in time, NASA's Hubble Space Telescope has uncovered an extraordinary population of tiny, young galaxies that are brimming with star formation. The galaxies are typically a hundred times less massive than the Milky Way galaxy, yet they churn out stars at such a furious pace that their stellar content would double in just 10 million years. By comparison, the Milky Way would take a thousand times longer to double its population.

RELEASE LINKS:

See full release
Complete Text
More Images
Video
Fast Facts

This news release and its supporting materials are permanently achived at: http://hubblesite.org/newscenter/archive/releases/2011/31/