Coming Soon: Save Our Stars

IDA and Astronomers Without Borders (AWB) will begin an exciting new initiative in the spring of 2013 – the Save Our Stars (SOS) project. With most of the US population living in urban areas ablaze with light, many youth and their parents rarely, if ever, experience the beauty of the night sky. Fewer still understand its value. Our children are the future and it is critical that we teach them the importance of protecting our heritage of dark skies, educate them about light pollution and give them information on how they (and the adults in their lives) can act to reduce or eliminate it.

IDA and AWB will partner with astronomy clubs and other groups around the world to organize events within easy reach of an urban area. The clubs will develop and administer evening programs with support from IDA. These programs will be geared to youth and adults and will include opportunities to learn about astronomy, participate in star gazing events and presentations on light pollution. Participants will be encouraged to promote the principles of dark sky conservation in their communities.

IDA will support these SOS events by providing light pollution education programs and materials in addition to those already available for free as downloads from the IDA website. We will dedicate a page on the IDA web site to the activities of the certified sites.

In addition to identifying a suitable location, the groups will advertise their programs to the general public, schools and universities, economic assistance programs, scouting councils (both Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts) and community organizations.  IDA and AWB will also advertise these programs on our website and through social media. Clubs that become Save Our Stars partners will be authorized to use the IDA logo in their marketing and outreach efforts. They will be encouraged to submit photos, articles, poems and student projects that IDA will include on its website, Facebook page, and IDA publications.

Astronomy clubs and other groups interested in becoming involved with the SOS program should contact Scott Kardel at the IDA office: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Or call the Tucson office at 520-293-3198.