Theworldnight2011

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

Galaxy M51 - William Hercshel ORM

April 20th - 2011 THE WORLD NIGHT The World Night in Defence of the Starlight

	THERE IS ANOTHER WAY TO LIGHT UP THE NIGHT SWITCH ON THE STARS! April 20th 2011 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, supported by IAC, UNESCO, IAU,UN-WTO, MaB, SCBD and CMs, 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. The World Night on April 20th is an opportunity to get actively involved in many ways: Organize events and ceremonies for the adoption of the Starlight Declaration. Promote public statements aimed to recover the vision of starry skies and limit light pollution. Switch-off unnecessary lights at night to recover the vision of stars, and at the same time save energy and slow down climate change. Organize artistic events or competitions on themes related with the vision of starry skies. Offer night sky viewing through telescopes. Provide media coverage and public talks by scientists, experts, and dark skies advocates related with all dimensions of the night sky. Promote the identification of local dark areas that warrant protection. Advocate for local dark sky ordinances. And last, but not least, organize events in which children can participate. Our capacity to maintain the right to observe stars is in their hands; it should be the right of future generations. JOIN THE WORLD NIGHT ...> Declaration in Defence of the Night Sky and the Right to Starlight

	This video has been devoloped by Sky Quality Protection Technical Office (OTPC) of the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC).

				Global Astronomy Month One people - one sky Global Astronomy Month continues the excitement of the unprecedented International Year of Astronomy 2009 (IYA2009). IYA2009's 100 Hours of Astronomy showed what the astronomy community can do working together. Amateur astronomers, clubs, science centers and others held events by the thousands around the world, attracting the largest public audience ever. And everyone wanted more.Global Astronomy Month is Astronomers Without Borders' response, bringing new ideas, new opportunities and again bringing enthusiasts together worldwide, celebrating One People, One Sky.

				STARLIGHT DECLARATION Declaration in Defence of the Night Sky and the Right to Starlight One of the achievements of the Starlight Initiative was the “Declaration in Defence of the Night Sky and the Right to Starlight”. During the Starlight Conference (2007) was agreed to designate and promote April 20th as the "World Night for the Right to Observe the Stars"..
				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.
				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

The proposal to promote April 20th as "World Night for the Right to Observe the Stars" was approved during the Starlight Conference held in 2007 in La Palma. The Conference was jointly organized by the La Palma Biosphere Reserve, the IAC (Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias), the Canary Islands Government, the Spanish Ministry of the Environment, IAU, the MaB programme and the UNESCO.

This proposal was presented at the Conference by the Government of the Canary Islands to commemorate the day when the Declaration would be approved. “The World Night” original idea was conceived by the Chairman of the Starlight Scientific Committee, Prof. Jafar Jafari.

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