COUNTRYSIDE campaigners are calling for the help of professional stargazers that could help uncover the scale of light pollution.

The pressure group Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) is inviting Oxfordshire residents to join this year's Star Count – a public-powered initiative designed, the charity claims, 'to reconnect people across the country with the wonder of a truly dark sky'.

By simply counting the number of stars in February local cosmic enthusiasts can help make a national map of the best and worst places for sky-watching.

Results from last year's star count revealed that light pollution – often caused by artificial glow from street and household lighting – has serious impacts on the way people view the sky.

The campaign revealed that only two per cent of participants in 2019's count said they viewed a truly dark sky.

CPRE's Oxfordshire branch promotes the beauty, tranquillity and diversity of rural Oxfordshire by encouraging the sustainable use of land and other natural resources in town and country.

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Oxford Mail:

Its director Helen Marshall said about the annual event: "A starry night sky is one of the most magical sights the countryside can offer, connecting people to such an important part of our natural heritage.

"However, many people do not get to experience this beauty due to light pollution.

"We want to get people out counting the stars and helping to save them now and for future generations to enjoy."

Using the results from the annual star count, CPRE will lobby Government and local authorities to tackle light pollution, and also highlight which ‘dark sky’ areas need to be protected and enhanced by strong policies.

The group also argued that as well as preventing people from sky-watching, light pollution also has serious impacts on natural behaviour of wildlife.

Their research shows that birds, which migrate or hunt at night, navigate by moonlight and starlight, and artificial light can cause them to wander off course and towards nighttime landscapes of cities.

It can also cause them to migrate too early or too late and miss ideal climate conditions for nesting and foraging.

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Oxford Mail:

The annual star count is supported by the British Astronomical Association, whose campaign to ensure quality lighting in the UK Commission for Dark Skies (CfDS) was founded in 1989.

Expert astronomer Bob Mizon from the CfDS explained: "As well as being a wonderful opportunity to get outdoors and enjoy the night sky, Star Count is starting to give us some really useful information.

"We are hoping many more people will join in this year and give us the best map ever."

To take part star counters are asked to choose a clear night between Friday 21 and Friday 28.

More stars are likely to be visible in areas of lower light pollution, and vice versa, thus building a picture of night sky quality.

Without using a telescope or binoculars, people can then count the stars within the rectangle shape formed by Orion and submit their results at cpre.org.uk/starcount.