Light night, dark stars Additional Information

Recommended Web sites:

The first annual Great Worldwide Star Count took place October 1-15, 2007. Learn more about the event, and compare your findings with the results of others at www.starcount.org(UCAR).

Download an activity guide to walk you through your own Star Count at www.windows.ucar.edu/citizen_science/starcount/GWWSC2007_ActivityGuide.pdf

(University Corporation for Atmospheric Research).

The International Dark-Sky Association works to protect the nighttime environment. For more information, and useful links, see www.darksky.org (International Dark-Sky Association).

To learn more about the “Lights Out America” event being planned for March 2008, go to www.lightsoutamerica.org(Lights Out America).

For information about how artificial lights can harm birds, visit www.flap.org/ (Fatal Light Awareness Program).

Cutraro, Jennifer. 2006. A seabird’s endless summer. Science News for Kids (Oct. 4). Available at http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2006/09/a-seabirds-endless-summer-3/.

Sohn, Emily. 2005. Power of the wind. Science News for Kids (March 9). Available at http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2005/02/power-of-the-wind-2/.

______. 2003. Sky dust keeps falling on your head. Science News for Kids (Aug. 13).

Available at http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2003/08/sky-dust-keeps-falling-on-your-head-2/.


Books recommended by SearchIt!Science:

[book] Star Maps for Beginners: 50th Anniversary Edition— I. M. Levitt

Published by Simon & Schuster, 1992.

Have you ever looked at the night sky and wondered exactly what you are seeing? This collection of 12 star maps, one for each month, shows you the positions of the constellations so that you’ll be able to identify what you see in the night sky. A special chart shows you how to use each one, and additional charts give the locations of the planets through the year 1997. You’ll also find an overview of our solar system and basic information about each of the planets—from its size to its internal structure. Myths and legends about each of the constellations, as well as an explanation of meteors, are included.

[book] Night Sky (Eyewitness Explorers)— Carole Stott

Published by Dorling Kindersley, 1993.

What’s the best way to explore the night sky? Travel out into the country away from the city lights. Don’t forget to pack a snack, a flashlight, a notebook, and this book. First, you’ll learn how to observe the night sky. The locations of stars, constellations (including those sharing the names of the zodiac signs), planets, moons, galaxies, and nebulae are shown in colorful maps and illustrations. Then check the background information about what stars are made of, how they are formed, the different types of stars, and where they go when they die. There are detailed sections on each planet, with the focus on Earth, its moon, and the star nearest and most important to us—the sun. Learn about meteors, comets, astronomers’ tools, and the myths inspired by the sky. With this book, complete with experiments, an index, and color photos, you’ll begin to unravel the mysteries of the night sky.

[book] Close Encounters: Exploring the Universe With the Hubble Telescope— Elaine Scott

Published by Hyperion Books for Children, 1998.

For centuries, people have wanted to see the stars and beyond. But nothing has provided so clear a picture as the Hubble telescope. With full color photos, this book takes you to Mars, Venus and Saturn. Watch a star being born, a star dying, and see the “deepest ever” view of the universe. An index is included.

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Power Words

artificial Made by humans rather than occurring naturally: artificial sweeteners; an artificial heart.

migratory Traveling from one place to another at regular times of the year, often over long distances. Salmon, whales, and swallows are all migratory animals.

pollution The contamination of air, water, or soil by substances that are harmful to living things. Light from cities and towns at night that interferes with astronomical observations is known as light pollution. It can also disturb natural rhythms of growth in plants and other organisms.

Copyright © 2002, 2003 Houghton-Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. Used with permission.

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