You can star in push for darker skies
PEOPLE are being urged to count stars to see if light pollution fell in lockdown.
By totting them up in the constellation of Orion, “citizen scientists” will help map the best and worst places to enjoy a twinkling view, organisers said.
The study will help the campaign for darker skies which boost health and wellbeing, protect wildlife and allow people to enjoy stellar nights.
Last year’s count, before Covid curbs took hold, revealed 61 per cent of people taking part lived with severe light pollution.
And data from this year’s annual survey will be compared with the 2020 findings to see what, if any, impact lockdown has had.
To take part, people just need to look up from their garden, balcony, doorstep or bedroom on a clear night from today until February 14 and count the stars.
Crispin Truman, head of charity CPRE, said: “A starry night sky is one of the most magical sights the countryside can offer.
“Dark skies are crucial for our health and for that of wildlife.
“Lockdown and the coronavirus have reminded us about how good for us the countryside can be.”
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For more details go to cpre.org.uk Sense of humerus... Joe and Luke with their fossil find
elephant, which hits 10ft 10in and can tip the scales at seven tons.
Joe added: “It’s insane how huge the fossil is. It’s more than three-foot long and probably weighs about five stone.We’re just preserving it now leaving it to dry slowly and getting water out of it.
“We normally do that for delicate fossils, but it actually isn’t very brittle at all. It’s in really good condition.”
Joe works as a boat builder on the island while his brother Luke, 30, is in construction.
The pair found the fossil on January 27 after it was uncovered following a recent stormy spell.
Joe said: “Half of it was just sticking out of the shingle following a recent cliff fall. It was just sat there like a giant chicken bone.
“I couldn’t believe my eyes. We’ve been going there every day since looking for more.We go out when the tides are right.”
The brothers, from Carisbrooke, will have to wait until lockdown ends before they can have the fossil properly identified.
That’s unless Mylo gnaws away by then... all the salt it