Michigan is getting ready for the of International Dark-Sky Week celebration, which begins tomorrow and will last until April 10.
As the cities grow, it’s getting harder for the stars to light up the skies as they used to. So to bring awareness about light pollution, since 2003 a high-school student started what is now a big event all around the world and an important element of Global Astronomy Month: the International Dark Sky Week.
This year, Michigan is setting up several activities to celebrate properly this week. In order to prepare the participants for a night sky viewing, The Besser Museum Planetarium in Alpena will offer an information program about dark skies on Friday.
Besides, about 20 states parks and recreation areas will be open until late for self-guided stargazing, so visitors and residents can enjoy properly the night sky.
The state Department of Natural Resources considers the parks as perfect spots for self-guided stargazing. Jim Hoffman, president of the Lowcountry Stargazers, adds that the parks “are a reason to come out to see something very few people are aware of,”
Dark Sky Cities accreditation
Certain measures must be taken not only to decrease light pollution but to prevent light pollution from getting worse as the community grows, so to become a Dark Sky City the entire community has to get involved in the process.
The accreditation of the International Night-Sky Association is gaining popularity and bringing attention to the problems of light pollution. Now days, people and communities are involving to save energy and turn to lower cost. The goal is to return to the sky its natural visible glow.
Recently, the Mayland Community College was designated as the first Star Park in the Southeast, becoming, as well, the 22nd Dark Sky City in the world.
Source: CBS Detroit