Starlight News

A Common Heritage
The Right to Starlight

International Initiative in Defence of the Quality of the Night Sky as Mankind’s Scientific, Cultural and Environmental Right

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STARLIGHT NEWS
From Stone Age to Space Age Astronomy & World Heritage Thematic Study released Paris, 3 August 2010: The UNESCO World Heritage Committee, at its 34th session in Brasilia, Brazil, has for the first time endorsed a study into a field of science heritage. The thematic study on the Heritage Sites of Astronomy and Archaeoastronomy, prepared within the framework of the International Year of Astronomy 2009, presents an overall vision of astronomical heritage and attempts to identify some of the most outstanding examples which are of significance to all humankind. “Astronomy represents a rich and significant part of humanity’s shared cultural and natural heritage. Recognising this formally means that we can now identify and clarify astronomical value in the context of the World Heritage Convention,” says Clive Ruggles, chair of the IAU’s Working Group on Astronomy and World Heritage and co-author of the study. Anna Sidorenko-Dulom, Chair of the International Year of Astronomy 2009 Cornerstone project Astronomy and World Heritage and coordinator of the thematic initiative Astronomy and World Heritage at UNESCO World Heritage Centre adds: “Recently there has been a lot of interest in reviewing the relationship between the heritage of the sciences, the traditional knowledge of indigenous communities, and the World Heritage Convention. In this context, the new Thematic Study provides the foundation for assisting State Parties to harmonise their Tentative Lists at a thematic level and to prepare nominations, including comparative analyses explaining the importance of nominated properties in their national and international context. This raises serious possibilities of inscribing astronomical sites of outstanding universal value on to the World Heritage List.” PRES RELEASE ... > More Informationn - AWH Working Group...>
	One people - One sky Reclaim the starry night sky ONE STAR AT A TIME The Starlight Initiative supports the StarParks Campaign It is possible to recover the magnificence of the starry night sky to once again inspire and nurture the hearts and souls of all children of this planet. Creating a StarPark is easy! Just as communities designate areas for recreation, sport, the enjoyment of nature or silence, these same sites and others can be places where the starry sky is enjoyed. A StarPark is an oasis that each community designates for stargazing/observing, a site where to learn under the stars, with a view to progressively enlarge its area of influence. Join the Global StarPark Network ...>

3rd International Symposium for Dark-sky Parks Lastovo Island, Croatia, 6 - 10 September 2010 The symposium provides both a setting for individuals to present their knowledge or attend presentations by leading experts in the light-pollution field, and creates an opportunity for networking, collaboration, sharing of information and the building of trust relationships. Symposium will bring together managers of protected areas, experts in biology, (eco)tourism, natural and cultural heritage, lighting industry and others to firther the action plan on reducing light pollution.. More information ... >
	April 20th - 2010 WORLD NIGHT there is another way to light up the night: switch on the stars! April 20th 2010 is the date when the Declaration in Defence of the Night Sky and the Right to Starlight will be promoted, as every year since 2007, at all levels, by municipalities, governments organizations, NGOs, citizens associations and also individuals. On April 20th, 2007 during the first International Starlight Conference, it was agreed to promote annually the World Night in Defence of the Starlight as part of our cultural, scientific and environmental heritage. Every year on this date we remind ourselves of the need to preserve our right to view a dark night sky full of stars and to take steps to prevent its disappearance. This year, World Night in Defence of the Starlight falls within Astronomy Week 2010. More information ...>

A New Vision: Science and Tourism under the Stars The StarLight Tourism Certification System The StarLight Tourism Certification System (Starlight Certification) was presented the 22 December, in a Press Conference held at UNWTO (World Tourism Organization) Headquarters in Madrid. It aims at bringing closer two key components of contemporary society: Science and Tourism. The Starlight Tourism Certification System was created with the aim of encouraging, at world-wide level, the improvement of the quality of tourist experiences and the protection of the night skies in Starlight Destinations. Starlight Destinations are visitable places characterised by excellent quality for the contemplation of starry skies and the practice of tourist activities based on this resource. More information ... >
	International Workshop and Expert Meeting- La Palma , 9-10 November 2009o
	Where the Earth meets the Universe Starlight 2009 Close to the finalisation of the International Year of Astronomy, this meeting aimed to make us think over the important progress made in night sky defence and preservation of the associated cultural, scientific and environmental heritage, as well as the objectives and challenges of future beyond IYA 2009. The International Workshop and expert meeting “Where the Earth meets the Universe” has been organised by the IAC (Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias) in the framework of the “Septenium” activities of the Canary Islands’ Government with the support of UNESCO-World Heritage Centre, Mab Programme and IAU (International Astronomical Union). More information ...>
Astronomy and World Heritage World Heritage Review nº 54 The latest issue of UNESCO's World Heritage Review has been released, with astronomy and world heritage as its theme. The publication includes a chapter "Starlight Reserves and World Heritage: Scientific, cultural and environmental values", written by Francisco Sánchez (Director of IAC) and Cipriano Marín. eBook available > More information WHC...>
	IAU General Assembly Resolution B5 In Defence of the Night Sky and the Right to Starlight A very large step forward for the protection of dark skies was the approval of a resolution at the IAU: IAU Resolution B5 - In Defence of the Night Sky and the Right to Starlight. The members of the International Astronomical Union (IAU) on Thursday, August 13, voted unanimously to approve a resolution in defense of the night sky and the right to starlight. The initiators of the resolution were the IAU Executive Working Group, the International Year of Astronomy 2009 Cornerstone Project Dark Skies Awareness Working Group, the Starlight Initiative, and the IAU Division XII/Commission 50 Working Group on Controlling Light Pollution. Text of the Resolution ...>
33rd Session of the World Heritage Committee Astronomy and World Heritage: Cultural Properties and Starlight Reserves On June 24th, 2009, the Astronomy and World Heritage Initiative and the Starlight Reserves proposal were presented to the delegates of several countries in the framework of the 33rd Session of the World Heritage Committee held in Seville (Spain). This is an important step towards the recognition of cultural, scientific and environmental values associated to astronomy and the right to observe the stars as common heritage of humankind. More information ... >

Dark Skies Rangers Program and GLOBE at Night 2010 One component of that is the preservation of dark skies or the prevention of light pollution. The preservation of dark skies is important for many reasons including astronomy, energy conservation, cost, wildlife and even human health. Through the Dark Skies Ranger Program, students learn about the importance of dark skies and experience activities that illustrate proper lighting, light pollution’s effects on wildlife and how to measure the darkness of your skies. More information ... >
	International Workshop and Expert Meeting- Fuerteventura, 10-11 March 2009--
	Starlight Reserves and World Heritage Starlight Reserves, World Heritage, Intelligent Lighting and Night Sky Protection The International Workshop and expert meeting “Starlight Reserves and World Heritage: Scientific, Cultural and Environment Values” was hosted by the Fuerteventura Island Council, and is organized in cooperation with the UNESCO-World Heritage Centre, IAC (Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias), and IAU (International Astronomical Union). "Astronomy and World Heritage: across time and continents" is a cycle of the UNESCO-World Heritage activities which will be launched within the framework of the World Heritage Initiative on Astronomical Heritage during the celebration of the International Year of Astronomy, IYA2009. More information ...>
The Hawaii State Senate Committee on Economical Development and Technology passed Senate Bill 536: Starlight Reserve Statewide Lighting Law Requires department of business, economic development, and tourism, assisted by a temporary advisory committee, to develop a statewide starlight reserve strategy, including an intelligent statewide lighting law, to preserve the quality of the night sky and its associated cultural, scientific, astronomical, natural, and landscape-related values. More information ... >

	Annual European Dark Skies Sympòsium September 2009 The Ninth European Symposium for the Protection of the Night Sky will be launched at the Royal Irish Academy, Dublin, on 16th September 2009 and will then take place from the 17th to the 19th September 2009 in the Market Place, Armagh, Northern Ireland. The symposium will primarily focus on the following areas: Astronomy Wildlife, Energy and Environment Education Health Luminaire technologies and design Policy and Public lighting Submit abstracts, up to 200 words, via email to submissions@lightpollution2009.eu no later than May 30th 2009. Further Symposium details and pre-registration is available on the website — www.lightpollution2009.eu . More information ...>
Starlight at the IYA2009 Openning Ceremony The Starlight Initiative and the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias took part at the Opening Ceremony of the IYA 2009, at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris, on 15-16 January. More information ... >

Starligth Declaration

"An unpolluted night sky that allows the enjoyment and contemplation of the firmament should be considered an inalienable right of humankind equivalent to all other environmental, social, and cultural rights, due to its impact on the development of all peoples and on the conservation of biodiversity."
Starlight Declaration. La Palma, Spain 2008.

			Heritage Sites of Astronomy in the context of the World Heritage Convention The Thematic study was published by ICOMOS and IAU, with the ISBN 978-2-918086-01-7 (e-book) and supported by Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC) and Starlight Initiative. The TS include Chapter 16: ‘Windows to the Universe’: Starlight, Dark Sky Areas, and Observatory Sites” DOWNLOAD (44 MB)...>
			Star Parks Join the Global StarPark Network: www.onestar-awb.org A StarPark is a window to the firmament that each community voluntarily designates to enjoy the starry night sky. Its function is to claim and secure the right to starlight, especially for future generations.. StarPark brochure ...> Version en Español ...>
			Blue-White Light / LED outdoor lighting Ignorance destroys the night There are other ways to light and save energy The rapid growth in the use of “white” light sources for outdoor lighting is changing the night environment with potentially damaging effects. Incorrect and misleading information by some manufacturers, especially those promoting LED outdoor lighting, suggests that blue-white light may improve vision. IDA Blue Light Position ....> Starlight2009 Statement ....>
			Ecole Internationale Daniel Chalonge Torino Cosmology Colloquium Latest News from the Universe Torino, 21 –24 October 2009 On the occasion of the International Year of Astronomy and the 250th anniversary of the Astronomical Observatory of Torino, the colloquium was held in Turin, with the participation of the 2006 Physics Nobel Prize laureate George Smoot and presentation of the Starlight Initiative. More Information ....>
			Landscape and Driving Forces Starlight Initiative and Nightscapes Eighth Meeting of the Council of Europe of the Workshops for the Implementation of the European Landscape Convention, Malmoe, 8-10 October 2009 The meeting provided an opportunity to share experiences by examining both good and bad practices in the integrated approach to landscape and its governance. It tried to strengthen the landscape's agenda among the key players and stakeholders involving landscape's protection, management and planning. More Information ....> Video Starlight PresentationSession ....>
			Nightscape - IDA Starlight Reserves A Quarterly Member Publication of the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA). The latest publication includes an article on Starlight Reserves. Starlight Reserves - Article (1,7 MB) Full publication (3,29 MB)
			Hoag/Robinson Award 2009 Cipriano Marín - Starlight Initiative This award is given at the recommendation of the IDA board of directors to an individual who has been outstanding in educating governmental organizations, businesses, and the public about the merits of outdoor lighting control ordinances. The award is named in honor of two pioneers in outdoor lighting reform, Dr. Arthur Hoag and Mr. William Robinson. More Information ....>
			International Conference: ASTRONOMY AND WORLD HERITAGE: ACROSS TIME AND CONTINENTS 19 - 24 August, Kazan , Russia During the opening ceremony of the International Year of Astronomy, which took place on 15 January 2009, the Director-General of UNESCO officially launched the cycle of activities "Astronomy and World Heritage: across time and continents". One of the main activities of this cycle is the International Conference on "Astronomy and World Heritage: across time and continents", hosted by the Government of the Republic of Tatarstan (Russian Federation) 19 - 24 August 2009. More Information ....>
			Starlight and IAU General Assembly August 03 - 14, 2009 Rio de Janeiro – Brazil The Starlight Initiative was present for two important reasons at the IAU General Assembly, held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in August 3-14, 2009. On August 14th, the Resolution on “Defence of the night sky and the right to Starlight” has been approved during the Closing Ceremony. On August 6th, John Hearnshaw presented “The Starlight Reserve, the New Zealand Experience”.
			IYA - Global Cornerstone Project Dark Skies Awareness (DSA) Seeing in the dark For this Cornerstone project the IAU will collaborate with the US National Optical Astronomy Observatory (NOAO), representatives of the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA), the Starlight Initiative and other national and international partners in dark sky and environmental education on several related themes.
			From the Costiera Amalfitana to the Stars Sustainable Development, Heritage and Starlight The Costiera Amalfitana, inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1997, besides proposing itself as a Biosphere Reserve candidate, has also started the procedure to become a Starlight Reserve, looking at environmental eco-sustainability from the point of view of illumination. More information
			IUCN's first step toward preserving natural darkness Dark Skies Advisory Group This advisory group was set up in early 2009 within the Task Force on Cities and Protected Areas of IUCN's World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA). It is chaired by David Welch, an ecosystem management and protected areas consultant based in Ottawa, Canada. More Information - Statment ...>
			Astronomy and World Heritage Working Group This website contains information about UNESCO’s Astronomy and World Heritage Initiative and the activities of the IAU’s Working Group on Astronomy and World Heritage. The Working Group is collaborating with The Starlight Initiative to help preserve the natural heritage of the dark night sky. More information ...>
			Support Campaign for Adoption of the Starlight Declaration. The Starlight Initiative invites all organizations, both public and private, to adopt the principles of the Starlight Declaration, expressing their support and voluntary commitment to preserve the quality of the night sky and to promote the cultural, scientific and environmental to the observation of the firmament.
			TWAN The World At Night a new program that will produce and present a collection of stunning photographs and time-lapse videos of the world’s most beautiful and historic sites against the nighttime backdrop of stars, planets and celestial events. . .
			Starlight and Climate Change The Starlight Initiative joins the Sustainable Energy Europe Campaign Defending the quality of night skies and the urgent application of intelligent lighting systems is also defending a sustainable use of energy and fighting against climate change.
			Light Pollution Regione Veneto in Italy approves a law promoting no upward-directed light! Regione Veneto was the first Italian region to enforce a law against light pollution in 1997. Being the first, the law had room for future improvement. One area that needed improvement allowed up to 3% direct upward flux from luminaries. After more than 10 years (and in the International Year of Astronomy) Veneto is substantially upgrading its laws and the new law now recognizes the importance of 0% upward-directed flux, as in ten other Italian regions, starting from the most populated one: Lombardy. More information at DSA-IYA2009 ...>
			IYA 2009 The United Nations declares 2009 the International Year of Astronomy. 20 December 2007: the United Nations 62nd General Assembly proclaimed 2009 the International Year of Astronomy. The Resolution was submitted by Italy, Galileo Galilei's home country. The International Year of Astronomy 2009 is an initiative of the International Astronomical Union and UNESCO. For more information on the International Year of Astronomy 2009 please visit the website at www.astronomy2009.org
			2nd Symposium for Dark-sky Parks 14 - 19 September 2009 Lastovo island, Croatia The title of the symposium is “The Role of Protected Areas in Reducing Light Pollution: Strengthening the Mission in Conserving Nature”. The symposium provides both a setting for individuals to present their knowledge or attend presentations by leading experts in the light-pollution field, and creates an opportunity for networking, collaboration, sharing of information and the building of trust relationships.
			Starlight: A common Heritage Starlight Conference 2007 International Conference in Defence of the Quality of the Night Sky and the Right to Observe the Stars. La Palma, April 19-20, 2007 .
			3- 16 March GLOBE at Night 2010 Through GLOBE at Night, students — alongside teachers, parents and community members — amass a data set from which they can begin to explore the concept of light pollution and to research the patterns of light pollution across the globe.
			UNESCO - WHC Astronomy and World Heritage The UNESCO Thematic Initiative “Astronomy and World Heritage” launched in support of the International Year of Astronomy aims to establish a link between science and culture with a view to highlighting the scientific value of cultural sites connected with astronomy.