Who has the darkest skies?
Tell us what you can see on the longest night, help us map Australia’s light pollution, and set a world record
Stunning video overlay and photos, spokespeople in all States and Territories
Credit: Angel Lopez-Sanchez
Scientists are asking all Australians to step outside on the longest night of the year to help them measure light pollution around the country.
“We’re expecting thousands of people to join us on Australia’s longest night, Sunday 21 June, to help researchers create a map of Australia’s darkest skies, and learn about light pollution and its effect on people, animals, and astronomy,” says Marnie Ogg, CEO and founder of the Australasian Dark Sky Alliance.
“Together, our observations will map how light pollution varies across Australia’s cities and regions, and make a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ attempt for ‘Most users to take an online environmental sustainability lesson in 24 hours’,” says Marnie.
“The Australian night sky is amazing. Our galaxy, The Milky Way, is painted across the sky. It’s a view that encourages us to wonder what’s out there, amongst the billions of stars. It’s a view that encourages kids to take up science and physics. But most Australians can’t see it, their view of the sky is blinded by light pollution,” says astronomer Professor Lisa Kewley, director of the ARC Centre of Excellence in All Sky Astrophysics in 3 Dimensions (ASTRO 3D) who are supporting the project.
“Light pollution doesn’t just disrupt our view of The Milky Way. It disturbs wildlife, disrupt people’s sleep, and represents wasted electricity,” says Marnie.
“The information will help councils plan for darker skies and create opportunities for tourism,” says Marnie. “Dark sky parks and tours are already popping up around the country.”
“You can help us understand how light at night affects wildlife,” says wildlife ecologist Dr Jen Martin from The University of Melbourne. “For example, light pollution from cities distracts bogong moths as they migrate from Queensland to Victoria’s alpine regions. If they don’t arrive on time, the endangered mountain pygmy possums that depend on them for food will starve.”
The project is supported by the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment, which has produced The National Light Pollution Guidelines for Wildlife. Other supporters include ASTRO 3D, AstroNZ, Bintel, ICRAR, Globe at Night, Unihedron, ANU, the International Dark Sky Alliance, Laing Simmons & Young, Waiheke Island Dark Sky Park and Dark Sky Traveller.
The GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS attempt starts from 1pm AEST on Sunday 21 June 2020 and follows night fall around the world. All the submissions will be added to the international database of Globe at Night and participants from across the planet are welcome to take part.
For more information and to register, visit https://worldrecordlight.thinkific.com/.
Images
Credit: Angel Lopez-Sanchez
The map shows, in twofold increasing steps, the artificial sky brightness as a ratio to the natural sky brightness (assumed to be 174 μcd/m2). The table indicates the meaning of each colour level.
Credit: F Falchi et al., Science Advances 10 Jun 2016: Vol. 2, no. 6, e1600377
Credit: NASA Earth Observatory
Credit: SAM7682 from Pixabay
Credit: Angel Lopez-Sanchez
Credit: Angel-Lopez Sanchez
Credit: Angel Lopez-Sanchez
Credit: Angel Lopez-Sanchez
Credit: Angel Lopez-Sanchez
Credit: Angel Lopez-Sanchez
Credit: Zoos Victoria
Credit: Zoos Victoria
Credit: Zoos Victoria
Video
Credit: Angel Lopez-Sanchez
Stargazing at Siding Spring Observatory video (720p and 1080p files) can be downloaded from here
Background information
Observations from Australian stargazers will contribute to the global dataset held by Globe at Night — an international scientific research program that crowdsources measurements of light pollution in the night sky. At set time periods within each year, the project asks people to report the stars they can see from their location to the project’s website. The coordinating researchers compile this information to produce a public, freely available map of global light pollution that can be used by researchers and the broader public.
Measuring and mapping light pollution will help:
- Australia develop its reputation as a stargazing and astro-tourism destination.
- councils develop dark sky planning guidelines and tourism opportunities.
- astronomers plan and conduct their research.
- biologists and agricultural scientists studying the effects of artificial light on wildlife.
- policy makers identify areas of over-lighting that may benefit from energy efficiency and carbon reduction programs.
How the World Record Light project works
- You will need a computer, smartphone or tablet with an internet connection to take part.
- Sign up via https://worldrecordlight.thinkific.com/.
- Sign in on 21 June from 1pm AEST.
- Watch some videos, answer all five questions, and do a night sky observation after dark, using the Globe at Night web app as directed on the project website. Participants in the Southern hemisphere will be looking for the Southern Cross (aka the Crux constellation), and the constellation of Bootes for the Northern hemisphere.
- Don’t be put off by the weather: observations are valid even if it’s cloudy or raining.
- Observations are uploaded to the international Globe at Night dataset in real time.
- Finish all parts of the lesson within 24 hours.
- Note that Guinness World Records officials may take several weeks to confirm the status of this attempt.
Why light pollution is a problem
- Light pollution is one of the fastest growing pollutants around the globe.
- In the natural world, artificial light can disorient some animals and plants, and affect the availability of food. It can stop turtle hatchlings from finding the ocean, interfere with the movement of pollinating insects, and cause birds such as shearwaters to collide with structures.
- The study of astronomy is very sensitive to light pollution, with light scattered in the atmosphere at night reducing contrast between stars and galaxies and the sky itself. Light pollution particularly affects the visibility of diffuse sky objects like nebulae and galaxies.
- Artificial light interferes with our ability to get a good night’s sleep. Chronic sleep depravation is linked to a host of health problems including obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, mental health issues, and accidental injury.
- Excessive or misdirected artificial light wastes electricity and, depending on the source of power, contributes to climate change.
- Constellations and the night sky have special significance for many Indigenous Australians. Light pollution can interfere with their ability to share and practice culture.
Australian locations protecting dark skies include
- Warrumbungle National Park near Coonabarabran (NSW) is Australia’s first Dark-Sky Park, as recognised by the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA).
- The Jump-Up Australian Age of Dinosaurs in Winton (QLD) is one of only 12 Dark-Sky Sanctuaries.
- Mid Murray Council (SA) has supported the creation of the Dark Sky Reserve there.
- Byron Shire (NSW) is investigating the removal of streetlights in the area.
- Sunshine Coast Council (QLD) has implemented the first-night sky friendly lighting management plan in Australia.
- Gingin Council (WA) are aiming to create a dark sky place at the Gin Gin Observatory.
- Phillip Island (VIC) has installed migratory bird-friendly lighting for shorebirds and little penguins.
- Parkes to Narrabri are starting an astro-tourism trail supported by Destination NSW Outback.
- Western Australia Tourism is featuring dark sky stays from Perth to Port Hedland.
More about the Australasian Dark Sky Alliance
The Australasian Dark Sky Alliance (ADSA) is an independent non-profit charity formed to:
- educate the public and policymakers about night sky conservation
- promote environmentally responsible outdoor lighting
- assist in the designation of IDA Dark-Sky Places
- create business opportunities, and
- celebrate our night sky heritage.
www.australasiandarkskyalliance.org
More about ASTRO 3D
The ARC Centre of Excellence in All Sky Astrophysics in 3 Dimensions (ASTRO 3D) is a multi-university Australian collaboration that combines innovative 3D optical and radio technologies with massive supercomputer simulations in order to understand the evolution of light and matter from the Big Bang to the present day.
ASTRO 3D is a seven-year $40 million Centre of Excellence project funded by the Australian Government through the Australian Research Council. It hosts around 200 investigators and professional staff, mostly based at six nodes: the Australian National University, Curtin University, Swinburne University of Technology, University of Melbourne, University of Sydney, and University of Western Australia. It is a key component in Australia’s preparations for the next generation of super-telescopes, including the Square Kilometre Array and the Extremely Large Optical Telescope.