STARGAZERS will have the chance to help experts find out how light impacts our view of the twinkling gems in the nights sky.
This Saturday, the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) is kick-starting a nationwide star count, where it will be inviting members of the public to get out and help map our dark skies.
The star count will run for three weeks, from Saturday February2 – Saturday February 23.
Stargazers will be asked to count the number of stars they can see (with the naked eye) within the constellation of Orion from anywhere within the country then submit their findings to CPRE via an online form.
The results will help CPRE to create a new map to show how light pollution affects everybody’s views of the night sky.
The number of stars visible is affected by the quality of the night sky. The Moon, atmospheric conditions, and light pollution can make it hard or impossible to see the fainter stars.
A star consists of a luminous spheroid of plasma. held together by its own gravity. The nearest star to Earth is the Sun.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here