How many stars can you see? It depends on whether you are living in the
bush, the suburbs of the heart of town. Light pollution is so bad in
some places, you can only see the brightest stars. Want to be involved
in some participatory amateur science? Then get involved in this sky
survey that my year 9 Research Science and Technology <span>student</span>s are running as part of the GLOBE project this month.<br><br>Learn, Observe, Report and Map! <a title="http://www.globe.gov/GaN/" href="http://www.globe.gov/GaN/">
Globe at Night</a> has more details including a cool activity pack that can be downloaded.<br><br>There
is a world wide survey of star visibility going at the moment. Between
now and March 21, go outside at around an hour and a half after sunset,
possibly a bit later. Stand in a spot where street lights or neighbours
outdoor lights won't get in your eyes and let your eyes adjust for a
few minutes (or more, after looking at the<span> computer screen </span>it can take up to 5 minutes for my eyes to adjust). <br><br>Compare what you see of the constellation Orion to their <a title="http://www.globe.gov/GaN/observe_magnitude.html" href="http://www.globe.gov/GaN/observe_magnitude.html">
starcharts</a>, (see map at <a title="http://home.mira.net/~reynella/skywatch/ssky.htm#Stars" href="http://home.mira.net/%7Ereynella/skywatch/ssky.htm#Stars">Southern Sky watch</a>) or print out the maps in the attached Family
<span>Activity</span> pack) and submit your observations to this link:<br> <a target="_blank" href="http://www.globe.gov/GaN/report.html">http://www.globe.gov/GaN/report.html</a><br><br>If you are using a torch to read the Family
<span>Activity</span>
Pack maps, remember to put some red cellophane over the end so as to
not destroy your night vision. Simple as that, and you are contributing
to our understanding of light pollution as well a doing a bit of
amateur science.<br><br>(share me your location and finding, I hope to use it with my year 9 Research Science class to compare results, data quality and validation etc..)<br clear="all"><br>-- <br>Roland Gesthuizen - ICT Coordinator - Westall Secondary College
<br><a href="http://www.westallsc.vic.edu.au">http://www.westallsc.vic.edu.au</a><br><br>"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed it is the only thing that ever has." --Margaret Mead