"How many stars do we still see?" - a nationwide Light-Pollution campaign for the general public J. Hron, G. Wuchterl, N. Zeitlinger, T. Lebzelter, M. Netopil, H. Pikall, T. Posch Institut für Astronomie der Universität Wien Verein Kuffner-Sternwarte

Context Austrian Science Week: Nationwide PUS-event (1 st ) Flagship-Event (700 events total) scientific goal: easy “do it yourself” science  High Visibility: Target 1 Mio people =1/8 Austrians all over Austria

Method for Estimating LP Search UMi with UMa Compare observed UMi to reference Pics Flash Intro

Reference images

Project organisation Collaboration Inst. for Astronomy Univ.Vienna, Verein Kuffner-Sternwarte, ScWeek plus several amateur astronomy clubs Own web-site Intensive media contacts (daily press releases, participation in press conferences) Main feature in printed catalog of events Attractive prizes (1 st prize: asteroid naming right) School project (access via web-site)

Data Collection Astronomer Call Center (two lines) Robotic Call Center (60 lines) Coordinate determination!!!  Map stamps (for narrow bandwidth web access!) On website for Web-Users and Call-center usage

Results - media Reports in prime-time TV-news and weather Feature in popular TV science-magazine Daily feature in TV science-web-site Articles in nationwide and local newspapers Interviews for several radio stations Total range: 2 Mio in 14 days, with science/technology interest

Results - society Law-making process accelerated Light pollution --- an integral approach: Astronomy/Nature Health/Energy “Helle Not” – Federal Environm. Agency Cooperation with national parks and nature reserves

Results - science 1250 Obs in 14 days Cities and suburban aereas well covered Gaps in the mountains Up to now 1750 obs, still counting at least to End 2002

Conclusions/Lessons learned Amateurs/schools/observatory contributions don´t fill the map Idea interesting for many media The Little Dipper already Lost a wheel  Median 4 th Magnitude Wide coverage essential! Attractive for joint efforts with protection of endangered species etc.

The next steps Southern method proposed Method(s) to fill the gaps in unpopulated/- popular areas support other national campaigns

Thanks to