#darkskyinternational

[my-asianewstoday-blog]

A Scoop for Amsterdam: ARTIS Zoo officially recognized for protection of nocturnal darkness http://dlvr.it/TNmd16

[grandcanyonsemester2015]

Last night GCS had the good fortune of spending the evening at Shoshone Point with Rader Lane, NPS Interpretive Ranger and adorer of the cosmos. He introduced us to our some of the celestial company we keep, treating us to stories about the constellations and indulgently nerdy factoids. This talk brought our attention up and out, adding immense dimension to our quest for sense of place. 

“Why did not somebody teach me the constellations, and make me at home in the starry heavens, which are always overhead, and which I don't half know to this day?” – Thomas Carlyle

Following Rader’s Star Talk, GCS student Becca took this picture of our camp at Mather Campground. It serves as an amazing reminder that we really are at home in cosmos, and frames our little GCS world beautifully within the natural lightscape of the Grand Canyon. The cloudy section of in the right third of the frame is our very own Milky Way (more specifically, the galactic interstellar medium). Due to light pollution, nightscapes such as this one are endangered and awareness of our very own night sky is dwindling. 

Grand Canyon is one of the worlds few Dark Sky Parks, and is a refuge for the unpolluted night sky. In addition to being night sky friendly and offering educational programs, GCNP and its pristine night sky is a source of inspiration for million of visitors a year. If that fact that 4 of 5 children born today will never see the Milky Way, that nighttime light pollution is a not only a threat to true darkness but also critically harmful to wildlife and a waste of roughly 30% of energy produced annually in the US (equivalent to 1.7 billion dollars of resources lost annually), or that stargazing is an endangered pastime concern you, find out what efforts to protect the night sky are being made and how your town can become an International Dark Sky Community. 

Tonight, wander outside and take a look. Try to name a constellation. Orient yourself within space. Ask a question about what you’re seeing. Are stars visible in your neighborhood? If not, why?

-AY