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GAM 2016 Blog
GAM 2016 Blog3 Benefits of a Dark Sky Designation
By John Barentine Dark sky programming at Newport State Park (WI), an aspiring Dark Sky Park. Photo by Denny Moutray. The International Dark Sky Association's Dark Sky Places program is rapidly expanding as more and more people learn of the benefits of a dark sky designation. In fact, last year IDA designated 17 new Dark Sky Places, breaking the 2014 record of 13. IDA established the conservation program in 2001 to recognize excellent stewardship of the night sky. Designations are based on stringent outdoor lighting standards and innovative community outreach. Since the program began, 14 communities, 31 parks, 10 reserves...
Portable Planetariums: An Invaluable Asset for the UNSW Physics Outreach Unit
By Shane Hengst Brief History of the Physics Outreach Unit at UNSW A dedicated astronomy outreach group was established in 2008 within the School of Physics with the aim of promoting UNSW astrophysics during the ‘International Year of Astronomy 2009’ and beyond. Postgraduate students Shane Hengst and Mikayla Keen coordinated the group, supported by Prof. Michael Burton. A small initial budget and cost recovery format provided the opportunity to hire casual postgraduate and undergraduate students to staff events and activities. The coordinators provided training and support to the casual staff as required. In 2011, the astronomy outreach program transformed into...
Advice on Love from the Stars
By Reina Reyes Some people consult the alignment of the stars to learn about their fate in love. But this is astronomy, not astrology. Here, we shall take a look at the lives of stars and see what they can teach us about love and relationships here on Earth. Warning: relationship advice to follow, with a cosmic twist. Are you single or in a relationship? Our Sun is a single parent, with eight grown children— including Earth, the special middle child. Decades ago, it was hypothesized that the Sun had a companion, dubbed “Nemesis”, blamed to have caused past mass...
World Record Astronomy
By Tom Gordon Last year, I organised a school community to do something amazing. I organised over 200 people to participate in and break a world record, do some fundraising for the school community, have a fun night out and do some astronomy! Amazing on all counts! The event was a part of a world record attempt run by Dr Brad Tucker and the people at Mt Stromlo for the most people stargazing at one time across different locations. We smashed it by the way! A total of 7960 participants . 114 of those contributed by me and the wonderful...
Happy International Dark Sky Week!
By The International Dark Sky Association Created in 2003 by high-school student Jennifer Barlow, International Dark Sky Week has grown to become a worldwide event and a key component of Global Astronomy Month. Each year it is held in April around Earth Day and Astronomy Day. This year celebrations begin Monday, April 4, and runs through Saturday, April 11. In explaining why she started the week, Barlow said, “I want people to be able to see the wonder of the night sky without the effects of light pollution. The universe is our view into our past and our vision into...
