The preservation of the Night Sky Environment ... - Starlight Initiative

The preservation ofthe Night Sky Environmentfor Education&the PublicMargarita MetaxaPhilekpaideutiki Etaireia, GreeceCom.46 & 50, IAU

Coming back in timeto the history of civilization,we find a permanent componentASTRONOMY

"European early modern humans"

Lascaux Cave, Francedated to approximately 16,000 years ago (Upper Paleolithic).

Lascaux:More than 1500 paintings!A prehistoric planetarium;

ASTRONOMY&ART

ASTRONOMYM U S I C

ASTRONOMY&LITERATURE

Astronomy &geographymathematicsphysicschemistrymeteorologytechnologymedicinepharmacy, etc.

Such a knowledge alsoentailed interpretations,raised questions,sometimes deeply philosophicalWho are we, which is our future,is there any reason behind?Who created the sky and the earth?Are we the only rational beingswho populate the Cosmos?

Astronomy is a scientific fieldthat correlates:• an edge-on science and a traditional one• local and global• science, technology and philosophy• culture with history and myth• natural environment and artificialenvironment

Astronomybeganthrough the Night Sky EnvironmentandThe Night Sky Environmentis where the Earth meets the Universe

The night sky is part of our ecosystem

• the natural environment is affected by theloss of Dark Skies• the Night Sky is of general importance tothe Natural and Scientific Worlds• the Night Sky is of importance to theCultural, Spiritual and Historical Worlds

It´s obvious that throughDark Skieswe can approach the world as a networkof messages, multiplicity, technology,scale of distance and time,and ecologyIranTWAN

So Dark Skies (astronomy) areuseful!

But is thenight sky environmentuseful for education;

the mystery of the night sky,is something in which theyoung students&the general publicare interested

Light Pollution&formal education

In these projects students (1)are trained to make&record observations

In these projects students (2)understand their environment&its connection withtechnology & society

In these projects students (3)learn about technology

In these projects students(4)find solutions and adopt newbehaviors in the protectionofthe night sky

Light Pollution&formal education• A very good cloudy night activity• Its doesn’t require clear skies• Students understand scientific,technological and societal issuesPromising topic for promoting scienceeducation

The educational value of the night skyThus educational initiatives, activities, and eventsfor children around the world on the preservation ofthe night sky environmentprovide a unique educational opportunity thatcombines the diversity and critical thinking skills ofa liberal arts education with a solid foundation inthe basic sciences.

UNESCO´s educational MODELNATURALH I S T O R I C A LE NV = IR = ON = ME = NTS O C I A LT E C H N O L O G I C A L

using ¨Dark sky environment¨ ourstudents learn• What we areprovides the skills for:o Learning to beo Learning to live togetherEducation in the most pure sense of the word• How we knowprovides the skills for:o Learning to knowo Learning to do

Light Pollution&informal education

MASS MEDIA&public education- Verilyn Klinkenborg, “OurVanishing Night,” NationalGeographic, Νοέμβριος, 2008

Amateur astronomers&public educationis based on the fact that manyamateur astronomers (often asmembers of astronomy clubs)regularly volunteer their time toshare their knowledge, passion,and enjoyment of the sky.

Astronomy programsin parks, camps, youth groups&public education

An old african sayingIn order to raise a child you need a wholevillage!

Star light destinations&public education

An Experience in'Travel Therapy'Were we will remind ordinary people toengage in one of their fundamental rights:the right to see the stars, and hence to engagewith the universe where we live.

We thus can develop criticalPublic Awareness&Understanding

Our children need to be able to see thestars.They are the ones with the eagerquestions and imaginations that willshape the future!Starry Night, Vincent van Gogh 1889, MoMA

the stars aboveus are a priceless heritage for our identityas human beingsandThe Night Sky Environmentis where the Earth meets the Universe

Educationcan contribute in the preservationofthe Night Sky Environment