How dark is it actually? Help RUG count the stars

This is the third time in a row that the RUG has organized the national measurement campaign now under the name “De Donkerte van de Wadden”. “Last year, six hundred people participated,” says initiator and astronomer Theo Joernes. “We can’t measure everything ourselves. We just need people for it.”

Leave the binoculars

People are in different locations to be exact. “Then you get a better indication of how brightness is received in different places. I think if you live in Groningen you can wring your hands if you count to ten max. But in Westerwolde you can end up with more than thirty.”

Provided that you do the work “honestly”. There is no telescope or binoculars. Just use your eyes.”

Participants are kindly but urgently asked to focus only on the constellation Orion. “Because this is a very easy constellation for anyone to find. How? Three stars in a row, two on top and two on the bottom.”

Glances directed at the constellation Orion, the unlucky hunter

According to Greek mythology, Orion was a hunter who was accidentally killed by the goddess Artemis and then ascended to the constellation.

Measurements should take place from January 14th to January 24th and from February 11th to February 21st. This all has to do with the position of the moon: measurements are taken when the moon is below the horizon. Görense says that measurements with cloudy skies, bad weather, and the moon above the horizon are useless. “The moon is an annoying source of light.”

Darkness of the Wadden aims to draw attention to the importance of darkness in nature. The project is an initiative of the University of Groningen, Natuurmonumenten, Staatsb Glosbeheer and the Nature and Environment Consortiums of North Holland, Friesland and Groningen.

Participants submit their measurements across https://www.visitwadden.nl/sterrentellen .