IAU B5 Resulution in Defence of the Night Sky

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

NEWS OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2009 Turin - Starlight and Latest News from the Universe

	Ecole Internationale Daniel Chalonge Torino Cosmology Colloquium 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. The spirit of the Colloquium will be in keeping with the Chalonge School’s emphasis on astro-fundamental physics, and the topics concern recent observational and theoretical progress made in the CMB, dark matter, dark energy, along with recent data received by satellite regarding solar physics and space astrometry. Presentation of the Starlight Initiative at Turin Academy of Sciences. Cipriano Marín, Coordinator of the Starlight Initiative. Ecole Challonge - Torino Colloquium Cipriano Marín - Starlight Initiative Hoag/Robinson Award 2009 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. Friedel Pas, European Liaison Officer of the International Dark-Sky Association, delivers the Award to Cipriano Marín IInternational Dark Sky Association


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				Where the Earth meets the Universe International Workshop and Expert Meeting La Palma , 9-10 November 2009 The International Workshop and expert meeting “Where the Earth meets the Universe” is 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 ...>
				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 Statment ....>
				Starlight Reserves International Workshop and Expert Meeting "Starlight Reserves and World Heritage" International meeting Organised by the IAC (Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias), the IAU (International Astronomical Union), the UNESCO World Heritage Centre and the Fuerteventura Island Government. It was held on the island of Fuerteventura in March 2009. Download Publication 3,2 MB
				Global Cornerstone Project IYA-2009 Dark Skies Awareness For this Cornerstone project the IAU collaborates 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 night sky defence. The World Night, on the first day of the International Dark Sky Week, is promoted in the framework of this initiative.
				Starlight Reserve Guidelines Concept, Dimensions, Categories, Criteria and Recommendations The Starlight Reserve Guidelines have been developed in collaboration with the IAU (International Astronomical Union), the UNESCO's World Heritage Centre (Astronomy and World Heritage Initiative), the MaB Programme (Man and the Biosphere), the CIE (International Commission on Illumination) and the OTPC-IAC (Instituto de Astrofisica de Canarias). More than 100 international experts have collaborated to carry out this document. Download Publication 2,8 MB
				Scientific American Save our dark skies, say scientists Access to a dark night sky is a basic human right that needs to be protected, a meeting of the world's professional astronomers has decreed. The International Astronomical Union passed a resolution calling on governments to give priority to safeguarding areas that allow observation of the stars. Scientists at the two-yearly gathering of space scientists, held this month in Brazil, warned that the light pollution went beyond the issue of studying the universe. More Information
				IYA 2009 Four new IAU resolutions in the framework of IYA2009 have been approved! Four important resolution in support of IYA2009 have been approved in the IAU XXVII General Assembly: RESOLUTION B1 on IAU Strategic Plan:Astronomy for the Developing World RESOLUTION A1 on Implementing the IAU Strategic Plan RESOLUTION B4 on Supporting Women in Astronomy RESOLUTION B5 in Defence of the night sky and the right to starlight ). More Information IYA 2009
				Publication Starlight: A Common Heritage Proceedings of the International Conference in Defence of the Quality of the Night Sky and the Right to Observe the Stars. 16 MB