BOULDER, Colo., Oct. 20 (UPI) -- The 2nd annual Great World Wide Star Count began around the world Monday, with schoolchildren, families and citizen scientists gazing skyward after dark.
The Oct. 20-Nov. 3 event helps scientists map light pollution globally, while educating participants about the stars.
The star count is organized by the Windows to the Universe project at the University Corp. for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colo., in conjunction with planetariums and scientific societies across the country and abroad.
"The star count brings families together to enjoy the night sky and become involved in science," said Dennis Ward of UCAR's Office of Education and Outreach. "It also raises awareness about the impact of artificial lighting on our ability to see the stars."
The 2007 star count drew 6,624 observations taken on all seven continents, and organizers expect the number of participants to double this year. Those observations enabled scientists to generate maps of star visibility around the world.
Next year, the star count will be part of the 2009 International Year of Astronomy.
