Star Count

Star count: a lockdown-friendly stargazing activity for the whole family.

Scientists  want to get an accurate picture of light pollution levels in the UK. You don’t need any equipment at all to do this project, just your eyes.

Organisers at the Campaign to Protect Rural England want people across the country to focus on the stars in Orion, between 6 and 14 February 2021.They are asking the public to count how many stars they can see within the rectangle formed by the four corner stars in the Orion constellation.

Light pollution can be harmful to birds, insects and other creatures. This survey will help find out where light pollution is the most serious within the UK.

The countryside charity can then help local councils to formulate plans to reduce the amount of light pollution in the UK. All information is on their website along with some instructions from the BBC.

All the information you need is on the website here: https://www.cpre.org.uk/what-we-care-about/nature-and-landscapes/dark-skies/star-count-2021/ and there is a video on the BBC Website here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-55956058