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Howard LawrenceParticipant
If you want to find dark skies here are some websites that may help you https://www.darkskydiscovery.org.uk , https://gostargazing.co.uk and for the overseas traveler http://spacetourismguide.com .
Howard LawrenceParticipantThis is a different approach to monitoring lighting.
https://lichter.nachtlicht-buehne.de/#l=12/52.33797/13.06382Howard LawrenceParticipantIn case you’ve not seen this important paper on increasing levels of light pollution. https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.abq7781
From the DSI AGM presentation I learned that it is reckoned that LP is doubling every eight years on a worldwide basis.Howard LawrenceParticipantJust in case you thought light pollution is harmless this item links it to increased risk of stroke.
https://www.heart.org/en/news/2024/03/25/bright-outdoor-light-at-night-may-increase-stroke-riskHoward LawrenceParticipantMany amateur astronomers are also interested in wildlife, plants and biosciences. Threats to biodiversity are perhaps the most worrisome aspect of light encroachment.
This item about moths from New Scientist shows how artificial light is forcing rapid evolution in short timeframes. https://www.newscientist.com/article/2421950-city-moths-may-have-evolved-smaller-wings-due-to-light-pollution/Howard LawrenceParticipantA book by Tim Marshall called ‘The Future of Geography’ uses the word astropolitics to describe the topic of humans in space. We need to engage in this new political debate. For example, are people happy with the idea that the Moon and other astronomical bodies could become despoiled? Did they vote for it?
Scientific exploration is different from space exploitation. Anyone want to start an astropolitical protest movement, perhaps call it the ‘Campaign for Space Preservation’?
https://geographical.co.uk/geopolitics/the-future-of-geography-tim-marshallHoward LawrenceParticipantIt is good to see this report in the Scotsman newspaper by an expert on the impact of satellites.
https://www.scotsman.com/news/environment/space-race-why-we-need-to-be-custodians-of-the-cosmos-as-scotland-takes-giant-leap-4561675Howard LawrenceParticipantSteve Tonkin has been interviewed by the Journal of Biophilic Design (a very interesting publication). Subjects included Steve’s background, the dark sky reserves in the UK, the core mantra “Right Light, Right Place, Right Time”, the rarity of truly dark and clear skies, and the impact on wildlife and human health. Steve makes two very important points towards the end about light and social justice and the need for lighting to make people, particularly women, to feel safe. It is a masterclass in dark sky advocacy.
Right Light, Right Place, Right Time — Journal of Biophilic DesignHoward LawrenceParticipantThis article in the ILP Journal, ‘The Political Equivalent of Tumbleweed’ by Nic Paton, is a valuable summary of the situation in Parliament with respect to the Lords report ‘The Neglected Pollutants: the effects of artificial light and noise on human health’.
The Government has largely rejected the report on the basis of ‘significant gaps’ in knowledge about the effects of artificial light. This rejection is very disappointing in that it will delay new legislation.
However, a new government may take a different view. The issue of light pollution monitoring has become particularly important and there are a number of us in the dark sky community who are investigating how we can assist government with this. Watch this space.
https://lightingjournal.org.uk/the-political-equivalent-of-tumbleweed/Howard LawrenceParticipantInternational Dark Sky Week is on April 2nd onward – see https://idsw.darksky.org/ If you have any events during this time please do mention the dark sky cause.
Howard LawrenceParticipantThe AGM for DarkSky International is on the 21st March at 19:00; details on their website. The connection between CfDS and DarkSky International (the IDA that was) goes back a long way. Headed paper of the Campaign for Dark Skies from last century has the subheading “A Joint commission of the BAA and the IDA.”
Howard LawrenceParticipantThis is an interesting academic paper by a team from Exeter, which reports on a digital lighting simulation methodology in relation to the availability of dark corridors for light averse organisms. https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsif.2023.0555
If I understand correctly, the LED better/worse? assessment is complicated depending upon geography of the environment under study. Apparently, the more even spread of LED luminaires (compared with HPS) provides fewer dark corridors. This is good for people but not so good for wildlife. Perhaps the rapid and widespread uptake of LED technology should not have taken place until the overall impacts were thoroughly understood?Howard LawrenceParticipantBuglife, the insect charity, has a very interesting item by David Smith on COP14 and the recent report on the effects of light pollution on migratory species.
https://www.buglife.org.uk/blog/how-can-the-convention-on-the-conservation-of-migratory-species-help-reverse-invertebrate-declines/Howard LawrenceParticipantThis article is a comprehensive critique of the satellite swarm issues, conveniently in one place. https://bigthink.com/starts-with-a-bang/outer-space-human-pollution/
So the notion that satellites are just the latest lies are true!😀Howard LawrenceParticipantThe UN is now talking about the issue of satellite constellations (at last). Will it result in anything positive in time? We must hope so. https://www.iau.org/news/pressreleases/detail/iau2401/
Howard LawrenceParticipantIf you live in the Hertford area you may be interested in this event, which has been organised by Simon Thorp and the Hertford Astronomy Group. The event next Thursday (22nd Feb) is a sell out but you may notice a reduction in local light pollution near Hertford castle. If successful it may be repeated. Let’s hope for clear skies.
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Howard LawrenceParticipantThis is an interesting article about the prospect of an artificial plasma shield being generated by the high masses of future de orbiting satellites. It is little studied at present but the potential impact on planet Earth could be enormous. So, another reason to campaign against satellite constellations until this and other issues are resolved.
https://spaceweather.com/archive.php?view=1&day=03&month=02&year=2024
Howard LawrenceParticipantThanks Robin. I will listen to it later.
Howard LawrenceParticipantA new paper sheds fresh light on a subject that CfDS have used in past campaigns – the disruption caused by artificial light to the lives of insects. The new science has been featured on various news outlets. A straightforward article about it can be found on the Conversation website.. https://theconversation.com/the-surprising-reason-why-insects-circle-lights-at-night-they-lose-track-of-the-sky-221387 There is a link to the original paper from this article and a video compilation showing insects in flight.
Howard LawrenceParticipantReflectors in space could make solar farms on Earth work for longer every day. Is this a sensible idea?
https://www.space.com/reflectors-in-space-increase-solar-farm-capacity
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