http://www.mssa.sailorsite.net/light.html

Enlighten Maryland


Dark vs polluted night sky.
Images © IDA.
This is a student-driven project which introduces people to the stars in their nighttime sky, and allows them to directly contribute to a light pollution monitoring project. It is coordinated by:
  • Melissa Jan, Maryland Science Center, jan_m@mdsci.org, 410-545-2985
  • Max Mutchler, Space Telescope Science Institute, mutchler65@yahoo.com
  • Brian Eney, International Dark-Sky Association, Westminster Astronomical Society, beney@mdsci.org
  • Chris Jones, Commercial Media
Observers (both students and the general public) are invited to count the stars they can see in certain constellations to quantify the degree of light pollution or "skyglow" at their location. The project kicked-off at a free event at the Maryland Science Center on the evening of 12 November 2001 called " Shedding Light on Light Pollution". Our first star chart (of Orion) was published in the Baltimore Sun in February 2002 to encourage the public to conduct star counts, and there are more star counting opportunities each month. A collaboration of student-scientists will analyze the resulting data and produce light pollution maps of Maryland. Citizens and/or students can submit observations via our public website:

www.EnlightenMaryland.org

But teachers and students interested in becoming more deeply involved in all aspects of the project (training, planning, observing, analysis, reporting) should visit and consider joining our online scientific collaboration center for detailed instructions and information (a Yahoo Group):

groups.yahoo.com/group/lightpollution/

For student-scientists who join our collaboration, this service-learning project involves preparation, action, and reflection, and embodies the best practices of service-learning. They can earn credit towards their service-learning graduation requirement. This project can be easily infused into any astronomy, physics, earth science, or math curriculum at the middle or high school level. Students can contribute to this ongoing project at any time of the year, over several years, if desired. Contact Max Mutchler with any questions about teacher and student involvement in this project.

Light pollution caused by poorly designed outdoor lighting fixtures can dangerously diminish our nighttime vision, is harmful to wildlife, and wastes energy and money (especially tax dollars). Good lighting improves nighttime safety, and is cost-effective. On a more profound level, it also preserves a precious natural wonder: the night sky. Prior to the widespread use of artificial lighting over a century ago, clear nighttime skies had the power to awe and inspire everyone, everywhere (even in large cities). Nothing less than our ability to appreciate and understand the rest of our universe depends upon enlightened use of lighting here on Earth. For many people, we hope this project provides an excuse to pause for a moment, look up at the stars, and connect with their universe.

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