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Astronomy Year / Week 11 / Thursday
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Week 11 · Dark Skies

Thursday

Help keep skies dark
// The Milky Way and light pollution
⏱ about 15 min

Thursday: Help keep skies dark

Rocket has an idea. "Let us build a hat for a lamp!"

Raven asks, "What do you notice about where the light goes?"

Nova hums. "Hint: light pointing down helps people see. Light pointing up hides stars."

Ways to help

  • Turn off lights you do not need.
  • Point outdoor lights down.
  • Use a shield to cover the top of a light.
  • Use timers or motion sensors so lights are on only when needed.
  • Pick warm, yellow-orange light instead of bright blue-white light.

Dark skies help animals too.

The best news: light pollution can be fixed!

Dark sky helperTrue or false?
Point outdoor lights down.?
Leave every light on all night.?
A shield helps keep light from going up.?
Light pollution can be fixed.?
WHY THIS EXERCISESmall changes at home help bring the stars back.
HELPER CHECK
  • Read the question.
  • Tap your answer.
Which light is better for dark skies?
Which light color is better for animals?
Try it
Roll a paper cup or paper tube around a flashlight.
Point it at the floor in a dark room.
See how the light stays in one spot?
Safety first
A grown-up helps with the flashlight.
Paper never touches a hot bulb.

Why warm light?

White and blue light bother wildlife more.

Warm white or amber light is gentler.

Amber is a warm yellow-orange color.

Use only as much light as you need.

DARK SKY TOOLS
  • Read the question.
  • Tap your answer.
What does a shield do?
What turns a light on only when someone is near?
What can turn a light off at a set time?
Can light pollution be fixed?
FIX A PORCH LIGHT
  • Tap a card.
  • Then tap its spot.
1First
2Next
3Then
4Last
Draw a lamp with a shield. Show the light going down.

You are a dark sky helper! Tomorrow we test how dark your sky is.

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