01962 854971
Become a member

Login
  • About
    • Who we are
    • Team
    • Trustees
  • What we do
    • Guiding and representing you
    • Training and development support
    • Research and engagement expertise
    • Social enterprise expertise
    • Community buildings expertise
    • Policy and information sharing
    • Hampshire Homes Hub – community housing expertise
    • Jobs & Volunteering
    • Room & Desk Hire
    • Projects
  • Case Studies
  • News
    • News, Blogs & Events
  • Contact
  • Become a member

Blogs

Home / News, Blogs & Events / Blogs / Help map the night sky to save our environment!

Filter by:

  • What we do
  • Blog
  • Events
  • Information

Help map the night sky to save our environment!

CPRE , the countryside charity, need your help to protect the environment across Hampshire! From 6-14 February they will call on people to count stars from their garden or window as part of its annual nationwide star count The data collected will be compared to 2020 to see whether lockdown had an impact on light pollution.

People living in all areas of Hampshire are being urged to take part in an annual Star Count to record our view of the night sky. CPRE, the countryside charity is working with the British Astronomical Association’s Commission for Dark Skies to find indications of light pollution levels across the country.

By counting the number of stars they see in the Orion constellation, citizen scientists will help map the best and worst places in England to enjoy a star-filled night sky. The results will indicate whether Hampshire suffers from severe light pollution, of which 61% of last year’s participants did.

They will also be compared with 2020’s findings, gathered before coronavirus restrictions took hold, to see whether lockdown has had an impact.

Light pollution means many people only experience a limited view of the night sky, and it also disrupts wildlife’s natural patterns. By showing where people’s views are most affected by light pollution, CPRE can use this evidence in crucial lobbying efforts to protect and enhance the skies of Hampshire, improving our health, wellbeing, wildlife and the environment.

Crispin Truman, chief executive of CPRE, the countryside charity, said:

‘A starry night sky is one of the most magical sights the countryside can offer, connecting us to the nature we all love and the wonders of the wider universe. Dark skies are also crucial for our health and for that of wildlife. Lockdown and the coronavirus have reminded us about how good for us the countryside can be. But many places suffer from light pollution, bleaching out the night sky. We want to change this. By taking part in Star Count, people will be contributing to citizen science, helping us to lobby the government for more protection of this too often overlooked, but vital, part of our countryside’.

Bob Mizon, UK coordinator of the British Astronomical Association’s Commission for Dark Skies, said:

‘Turning back the tide of light pollution brings darker night skies and improvements to the well-being of humans, wildlife and the environment. In its three decades of working with the CPRE towards these goals, we have seen increased public and Parliamentary awareness of the importance of our view of the universe above. The CPRE Star Count is an important part of this work, especially in these abnormal times when we have a chance to see whether changes in our activities are having any positive effect on the atmosphere and our view of the night sky.’

Organisations across the country are supporting this year’s Star Count, including popular amateur astronomy group Go Stargazing. Set up by space enthusiast Neill Sanders, Go Stargazing are strong advocates for protecting our night skies and supported several Dark Sky Park/Reserve accreditations from the International Dark Sky Association.

Speaking on the importance of Star Count, Neill Sanders of Go Stargazing, said:

”There’s only one thing I like more than to look through my telescope, and that is for other people to look through it! My ambition is to encourage people’s interest in astronomy by getting them involved in the practical side — going outdoors and enjoying views of starry skies.  I’m extremely pleased to be once again supporting CPRE and their annual Star Count… It’s a match made in the heavens!’’

CPRE Hampshire, the countryside charity is grateful to the following Hampshire organisations for supporting CPRE’s Star Count 2021:
  • New Forest National Park Authority as part of their Awakening Festival
  • Countryside Education Trust
  • Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium
  • Hampshire Outdoor Centres (Hampshire County Council)
  • Hampshire Countryside Service (Hampshire County Council)
  • The Wolf Pack Forest School
  • Hampshire Scouts
  • Hampshire Guides
  • South Downs Society

For more information, go to: www.cpre.org.uk/starcount

Share this page

Author
Charlotte Ware

Published
3.02.21

Contact us

24.05.22
Blogs
Hampshire to get £566,000 funding to tackle loneliness with transport
View Blogs
11.05.22
Blogs
Loneliness and Mental Health
View Blogs
25.04.22
Blogs
10 Stories from the Sector
View Blogs
14.04.22
Blogs
Has Covid ‘devastated’ Hampshire’s VCSE sector? Or has the impact been ‘minimal’?
View Blogs

Newsletter sign up

By signing up to this mailing list you are consenting to receive our bulletin which contains latest news, topics from our online forum and promotes our member of the month. This information is sent out on the 1st and 15th of every month.

  • DD slash MM slash YYYY
  • Pamber parish council were really pleased with the support provided by Action Hampshire’s Rural Housing Enabler helping us through the development process. It was a good experience.

    Chris Goss, Pamber Parish Council
  • Action Hampshire has always been a useful font of information for us at Winchester Churches Nightshelter. Sue has always been really helpful, and I do find the updates from the ‘wider’ world to be of interest.

    Michèle Price, Winchester Churches Nightshelter
  • Having Action Hampshire as a point of reference, support and guidance is invaluable for small to medium sized charities like ourselves. Without them, we would be far less connected and less able to serve our beneficiaries in a meaningful and coordinated way.

    Juno Hollyhock, The Rose Road Association
  • I have found Action Hampshire to be truly innovative and forward thinking in their approach to their work and their passion for the voluntary and community sector is easily measured through their work to help improve the lives of all sections of the community.

    Grant Cornwell, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Community Foundation
  • Action Hampshire are the most fantastic organisation and it has been a pleasure to collaborate with them. They are very positive and easy to work with, from Rachel’s warmth on the front desk all the way up to Sue’s vast knowledge and experience on the top floor.

    George Scott-Welsh, IncuHive

Become a member

Everything we do at Action Hampshire is in support of our amazing members. Join us today and access a membership package to suit your organisation, tailored to meet your needs and the needs of the people and communities you serve.

Become a member

Sign up to our newsletter

Find out what's happening at Action Hampshire
and how you can get involved

Sign up

Find us

Westgate Chambers
Staple Gardens
Winchester
Hampshire
SO23 8SR

01962 854971

Get directions

Quick links

  • Membership sign up
  • What we offer
  • Contact us

Site

  • Site map
  • Privacy policy
  • Accessibility
  • Terms of use
  • Terms of business for membership

© Copyright 2022 Community Action Hampshire

Community Action Hampshire (trading as Action Hampshire and Action Portsmouth) is registered in England and Wales as a charity (no. 1053806) and a company limited by guarantee (no. 3162873)