RASC: Yukon Centre - Yukon Astronomical Society 2.52

What Is Astronomy?

Astronomy, science that studies the sun, the solar system, the remote stars, distant galaxies and all other detectable bodies in the universe. Its major sub-disciplines include astrophysics, the closely related field of spectroscopy and cosmology. Astronomy is often regarded as the oldest science, since more than 5000 years ago motions in the sky were used to predict events such as the annual flood on the Nile. During the era of modern exploration, astronomy had practical applications in navigation, surveying and timekeeping.

Modern astronomy, however, is more concerned with the physical and chemical nature of matter beyond Earth, where conditions of temperature and pressure, and gravitational and magnetic fields allow astronomers to observe matter under extremes unattainable in terrestrial laboratories. Astronomy is also closely related to physics, chemistry, mathematics, geology, engineering and computer science.

Canadian astronomers have consistently "punched above their weight class" in astronomy for many years. As astronomy has developed it is increasingly a global endeavour and Canada participates in many joint projects including the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope and the Gemini Telescopes (North and South).

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What are Dark-Sky Preserves, Urban Star Parks and Nocturnal Preserves:

Part of the YAS mandate, in conjunction with the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada (RASC), will be to locate/establish light-restricted protected areas in and around the city of Whitehorse, as well as throughout the Yukon Territory.

The RASC has developed formal guidelines and requirements for three types of light-restricted protected areas: Dark-Sky Preserves, Urban Star Parks and Nocturnal Preserves. RASC is officially recognizing parks in Canada that apply for an official designation and meet these guidelines. Many parks across Canada have been designated in recent years.

Dark-Sky Preserve (DSP): A Dark-Sky Preserve is an area in which no artificial lighting is visible and active measures are in place to educate and promote the reduction of light pollution to the public and nearby municipalities. Sky glow from beyond the borders of the Preserve will be of comparable intensity, or less, to that of natural sky glow.

Urban Star Park (USP): An Urban Star Park is an area in which artificial lighting is strictly controlled and active measures are in place to educate and promote the reduction of light pollution to the public and nearby municipalities. Sky glow from beyond the borders of the Reserve may be visible to observers within the area, but the skies are still usable for astronomy.

Nocturnal Preserve (NP): Nocturnal Preserve is an area in which artificial lighting is strictly controlled and active measures are in place to educate and promote the reduction of light pollution to the public and nearby municipalities. The primary focus is to protect the nighttime environment, and astronomical access is not a prerequisite.

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What is the Whitehorse Light-Pollution Abatement (WLPA) Project:

The goal of the WLPA project is to reduce the levels of light pollution in urban and rural areas by advising Federal, Provincial and Municipal governments and departments along with business and concerned citizens to take action to reduce unnecessary glare, uplight and light trespass.

It is a constructive and advisory program that encourages meetings at the local level between concerned citizens and governments, business and the media to inform and advise these groups on the problems created by light pollution. YAS, in conjunction with the RASC, can provide practical recommendations to reduce obtrusive lighting. The program is managed by the RASC LPA Committee consisting of volunteers from across Canada.

The RASC National LPA Committee supports local initiatives with the distribution of information and presentation materials. These are in the form of printed booklets, information sheets, and a slide set to complement a formal presentation on light-pollution abatement.

On the strategic national and regional level, the Committee recommends to Federal and Provincial governments the use of non-polluting exterior lighting designs and luminaires in projects under their jurisdiction. Further, the Committee advises governments as part of their infrastructure maintenance and renewal to replace older luminaires that produce glare and light trespass with luminaires with the full cut-off optics.

Mission Statement:
** In 1991, the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada established its Light-Pollution Abatement Committee to support measures to reduce Light Pollution.

The mission is to work for social and legislative changes which will result in better, more responsible lighting practices in Canada, and the preservation of the nighttime environment for all to enjoy. This is accomplished by:
• Raising public and government awareness of the problem of light pollution,
• Forming or joining alliances with like-minded groups and organizations, and
• Making representations to governmental bodies.