NASA Invites Students to Help Astronaut Count the Stars

NASA and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) are collaborating on a new education activity that helps students become astronomers. The Star Count Project will investigate the visual quality of the night sky and help assess the extent of atmospheric light pollution.

There are many factors that affect how many stars can be seen at night. NASA and the CSA are inviting U.S. and Canadian students to participate in an effort to study these factors.

The project was suggested and is being supported by CSA astronaut Steve MacLean. He is a member of the crew of the Space Shuttle Atlantis on the STS-115 mission to the International Space Station. 

MacLean performed the Star Count experiment during the mission. While in space he will upload star observation information into a database via the Star Count Web site. As part of the project, students will learn how to estimate the number of stars observed based on random samples of sections of the sky. Students will add to the database by entering their location, number of stars observed and information about their viewing conditions. The students will be able to compare their observations with MacLean’s and other observers.

Star Count is a project of the NASA Student Observation Network. The network is a collection of online inquiry-based activities that challenge students to find answers to research questions by making their own observations and interpreting them with NASA data.

This important, and fairly easy to perform Star Count project is designed as part of an international scientific study to investigate the visual quality of the nighttime sky and to help assess the national and global extent of atmospheric light pollution. It will also help to evaluate the amount of energy wasted through poor or inappropriate lighting practices.

Teachers, students, youth organizations ( e.g. Cubs, Scouts, Guides etc.) amateur astronomers, science and environmental organizations, and dedicated interested individuals, are all invited to participate.

To participate in the Star Count Project, click here

If observing in Canada, click here

NASA release 06-301 and CSA