Last year's observations
As Amber Dance explained in the March/April 08 issue of symmetry, it's nearly impossible for an outsider to make significant contributions to particle physics--although that doesn't stop people from trying! But amateurs can make significant contributions to other fields of science, and starting tonight, you can do that just by walking outside and looking up.
The Great World Wide Star Count is recruiting volunteers to gaze at constellations, determine how bright their stars are and report that information online. The results tell astronomers how much light pollution from cities, brightly lit prison yards, and other sources is dimming our view of the stars. Last year's count--you can find a report on the results here--gathered more than 6000 observations from all over the world and all 50 states.
Folks in the Northern Hemisphere will be looking at the constellation Cygnus, the Swan; folks in the South, at Sagittarius, the Archer. You can observe on just one night or on lots of them. The count ends Nov. 3.
