Tag: night sky

Ring to help Scots witness the Eta Aquariid Meteor shower

Ahead of the spectacular Eta Aquariid meteor shower starting from the 19th April, Ring is helping Scots experience the rare astronomical event by collaborating with the UK Fireball Alliance (UKFAll).

The initiative follows recent Ring customer footage of an unusually bright shooting star travelling across the English Channel at the incredible speed of 70 km/s. 

Richard and Claire Ward-Jones shared the video with Ring after reports of a meteor shower in their area. When reviewing their Ring Video Doorbell Pro footage, Richard was amazed to see the shooting star light up the sky.

YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/0-Gh-RyJfqQ

The Eta Aquariid Meteor Shower is set to dazzle skies across Scotland’s towns and cities between April 19th and May 28th, with good levels of visibility expected.

To help stargazers witness the meteor shower, the UKFAll and Ring are equipping Scotland and wider UK locations, with 50 of Ring’s Stick Up Cam Pro and Wired Video Doorbell Pro devices, available to those in the best areas to view the shower.

This is sure to be welcome news for over two thirds (70%) of Scots who are interested in astronomy, as reported in Ring’s new survey. The survey also found that half (50%) of Scots are more interested in astronomy now than they were as a child, with 89% of Scots reporting that they observe the night sky in the hopes of seeing a shooting star.

Charlotte Bays, Secretary at the UKFAII commented: “Travelling at speeds of up to 70 km per second, meteors travel faster than any other objects in the sky.

“As a result, shooting stars are usually gone within a second. That’s why meteor showers like the Eta Aquariid are so special, offering lucky stargazers a rare chance to see a once in a lifetime event.” 

Ring’s research also revealed what Scots would wish upon a shooting star, if they were to spot one, with over half of Scots (54%) saying they wish to be happy, while a fifth (19%) of Scots wish to travel.

Other wishes include owning a house (16%) and finding love (14%). This lies in contrast with top wishes from childhood, with one in four Scots having wished for superpowers (25%) as a child, while nearly a quarter (23%) wished to own a puppy, and a fifth (21%) to be famous.

Dave Ward, Managing Director EU & International at Ring said: “Wishes may change as we grow up, but everyone can appreciate the phenomenal beauty in seeing a meteor shower.

“I’m glad Ring devices can play a small role in helping people capture and share these fascinating moments, and maybe even contribute toward scientific discoveries.” 

From 9th April those living in the top UK viewing areas for shooting stars can apply at www.ukfall.org.uk to receive Ring devices and support UKFAII in the study of astronomical activity in the UK.

Ring is encouraging anyone that captures footage of astronomical events on their Ring device, to send to ukstories@ring.com or tag @ringUK with the video on Instagram. To learn more visit Ring’s blog here.

LIGHT POLLUTION: vast majority can’t see dark sky, finds CPRE Star Count

  • 75% of people are in areas with the worst three categories of light pollution 
  • Campaigners, including Chris Packham, call for action to ‘rewild the night sky’ to improve the health of people and wildlife 
  • Giving evidence to the House of Lords, CPRE identified key changes to national and local planning policy that, if implemented, could save councils hundreds of thousands of pounds in energy bills while improving the worst light polluted skies 

Light pollution affects the vast majority of the population, with three-quarters of people in the UK finding their view of the night sky obscured, new data has shown. The results of Star Count 2023, released today by CPRE, the countryside charity, find only five percent of people can enjoy the wonder of a truly dark starry sky. 

Almost 4,000 people took part in this year’s Star Count, the country’s biggest annual citizen science project of its kind, from 17-24 February. Participants were asked to report the number of stars they could see with the naked eye in the Orion constellation. The results show that, for just over half the population, their view of the night sky remains obscured by severe light pollution. The proportion experiencing ‘truly dark skies’ and ‘very severe light pollution’ – the best and worst categories – both increased by two percent. 

In evidence presented this month to the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee, CPRE recommended that local authorities should have legal powers to control light pollution through planning regulations. Outdoor advertisements are already managed in a similar way. Further to that, key changes to national and local planning policy were identified that, if implemented, should lead to a step-change in reducing light pollution, including policies to protect dark skies and intrinsically dark landscapes. 

Tom Fyans, interim CEO of CPRE, the countryside charity, said: ‘The night sky is becoming increasingly obscured by artificial light. Sadly, this means most people in the UK can’t see many stars at all, especially if they live near a big town or city. Yet, it’s a form of pollution that has been allowed to grow for years without any significant effort being made to control the damage it’s causing to people, nature and the environment.  

‘Local authorities could potentially save hundreds of thousands of pounds each year by not wasting energy on unnecessary lighting. It’s an opportunity begging to be taken. All councils are looking for ways to save money and reduce carbon emissions – by cutting light pollution they’d improve people’s sleep and mood at the same time. 

‘As anyone who has landed at an airport at night can attest, housing and roads cause the most light pollution. Local authorities and highways authorities are therefore responsible. They can take action by investing in well-designed lighting, that shines where and when needed. Dimming technology; switching off street lights, if and when they’re unnecessary, in the dead of night; or better designed directional lighting would make a massive difference.’ 

There is increasing awareness of the effect that light pollution has on people’s health and wellbeing. In a previous survey, CPRE found half of respondents said their sleep had been disrupted by light shining in through their bedroom window. More than one in ten people (14%) have slept in a different room to avoid light pollution and 3% have moved house to get away from light pollution. 

Artificial light is known to cause confusion to migrating birds, often with fatal outcomes. It interrupts natural rhythms, including the reproduction, feeding and sleeping patterns of pollinating insects, bats and nocturnal animals. In humans, studies show that exposure to light at night interrupts sleep and can disrupt the body’s production of melatonin, a brain hormone best known for its daily role in resetting the body’s biological clock. 

Star-Count-2023-results-mapDownload

Emma Marrington, landscape enhancement lead at CPRE, the countryside charity, said: “It’s great that so many people took part in Star Count this year. What is clear is that light pollution continues to affect people’s experience of the night sky. Action is needed now! 

‘A strong approach is needed by local councils to manage light pollution, by ensuring local planning and street lighting policies protect dark skies and intrinsically dark landscapes in their areas. We’re also calling for minimum standards to be introduced nationally for the management of external lighting to cut light pollution. 

‘This would be a hugely important step towards strengthened planning to ensure we get well-designed lighting that is only used when and where it is needed, protecting our existing dark skies for the benefit of current and future generations.’ 

CPRE is calling for stronger local and national planning policy to combat light pollution. The National Planning Policy Framework, where these policies are decided, is currently under review. Now is the time for the government to act.