Globe at Night

Globe at Night Citizen Science Campaign

RASNZ welcomes you to join us on the Globe at Night campaign and help us map the impact of light pollution in New Zealand which helps us understand and manage the issue of light pollution both in New Zealand and globally.

All you need is a smart phone (tablet or computer) to measure and submit night sky brightness observations from wherever you are. Readings from locations experiencing light pollution are particularly encouraged.

Your contribution plays an important role in the fight against light pollution providing scientists with much larger and more diverse data sets that might have otherwise been unachievable.

For New Zealand, we’d like to focus on February (12th-21st using the Orion constellation) and June (9th – 18th using the Southern Cross constellation).

How to Participate:

    During the campaign dates, go outside on a clear night more than an hour after sunset and let your eyes adjust to the dark (at least 10 minutes).

    Find the constellation you are reporting on – Orion and Southern Cross are the two best known and easy to identify constellations in New Zealand. Many smartphone apps or programs can help you locate it if you are unsure where it is.

    The 3-minute video below will show you how to go to the Globe at Night report page (making sure you are in nighttime mode),

• choose the star chart that most closely matches what you see in the sky,
• Select the amount of cloud cover at the time of your observation and
  
• submit your data
  

Video https://vimeo.com/user154165690/gan-rasnz

Password: GAN

Facebook Live event – 17 February 2023

Join us on Facebook live for an event featuring the Globe at Night Citizen Science Program - https://www.facebook.com/RASNZ/live_videos/

We will show you how to observe and record light pollution levels in your area. Not only will you learn about the impact of light pollution on our environment, but you'll also have the opportunity to contribute to vital scientific research. Mark your calendars and tune in to our Facebook page on Friday 17th February (raincheck date 19th February) for our first live Citizen Science event. See you there! 

Why we collect this data

• Another 3-minute video explains why we collect this data and how valuable your contribution is.

Video https://vimeo.com/user154165690/whycollectdata

Password: GAN

RASNZ Contacts:

Antony Gomez: antony.gomez61@gmail.com

Steve Butler: urbanstars@rasnz.org.nz

Emily Barraclough: emjbarraclough@gmail.com

Globe at Night: https://www.globeatnight.org/

More detailed instructions: https://www.globeatnight.org/6-steps.php