THE STARS are coming out this month … and you’re invited to keep your eyes for them.
No, not local legends such as Ricky Gervais and Kate Winslet (although keep your eyes out as you never know…) but the heavenlies.
Countryside charity CPRE is organising is annual Star Count event, a citizen science project that calls on people to look up and take count.
It says that nothing beats looking upwards to see velvety blackness, with twinkling constellations as far as the eye can see, but the view can be marred by light pollution.
This, it adds, disrupts wildlife, affects sleep cycles, and contributes to carbon emissions.
So between Fridays, February 17 and February 24, the Berkshire branch of CPRE is asking people to count all the stars you can see in the Orion constellation. CPRE says no special equipment is needed as the count is carried out with the eye.
Greg Wilkinson, chairman of CPRE Berkshire, says: “We want to make sure that we can all enjoy starlit nights, and we need your help in measuring what effect light is having on our views of the galaxy. And the best way to see how many stars we can all see in the sky is to count them.
“So every year, around February, CPRE asks people from all across the country to become ‘citizen scientists’ and look heavenwards for one night. We hope lots of people in Berkshire will sign up to take part in this year’s exciting project which really is something the whole family can get involved in.”
The results are compared to previous years and create a map of the best and worst places to go stargazing in the county.
“This will enable us to work with local councils and others to decide what to do about it,” says Mr Wilkinson.
“Together, we can work towards rewilding our skies for the benefit of people and wildlife.”
He added: “Star Count is a great activity, whether on your own, with friends or with family, and you don’t need to go out of your way. You can take part at your local green space, your garden, or even just by looking out of your window – but be sure to switch all your lights off first.”
For more details, log on to: www.cpre.org.ukand click on the link for Star Count.
