RASC eNews

Earth Hour is on March 29, 2008. Everyone is asked that they shut off their lights and all nonessential electrical appliances to help out with greenhouse gas emissions, from 8:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Members and friends of the RASC can also take advantage of this opportunity to do some Light Pollution Studies during this unique event.

Members without Sky Quality Meters

Members who do not have Sky Quality Meters can use the methodology promoted by the Ontario Science during the period from 8:45 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. to observe the Little Dipper (Ursa Minor) and count how many stars they can see, and submit their data at http://www.redshiftnow.ca/starwatch/. A star map and instructions are provided there to help you plan and submit your observations.

Members with Sky Quality Meters

A Sky Quality Meter is an affordable device that provides precise measurements of sky brightness. RASC members across Canada are invited to take Sky Quality Meter (SQM) readings and submit them so a graph can be done up locally and nationally, and we can see how the light levels change with all lights on , off or dimmed down, and back on again.

The proposed methodology is to take readings every half hour starting at 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Readings should be taken at the Zenith (straight overhead)

Reports should be filed by e-mail. Please send:

• Location (town, city, province)
• SQM readings at the times of every 1/2 hour starting at 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
• weather conditions (cloudy, hazy, clear, temperature etc)
• type of local light fixtures (in your area your reading from)
• provide images so we can have a collection of good and bad lighting, these will be included on the National LPA site.

Data and images should be forwarded to kim@starlightcascade.ca with "SQM" in the subject line.

Thank you all for participating in Earth Hour and in Light Pollution Data Collection.

Kim Hay, Chair
RASC Kingston Centre Reponsible Lighting Committee
Member, RASC Light Pollution Abatement Committee