Each year a National Project is run as part of National Science Week.  This is a national activity with an online component that allows everyone around the country to participate in a science activity and be part of National Science Week.

2009: Be An Astronomer

During National Science Week 2009 (15-23 August 2009) the CSIRO and ABC Science ran a National Project developed in partnership with the International Year of Astronomy.  The project website and resources materials are still available online.

By visiting the Big Aussie Star Hunt website, you can become an astronomer: discover where you can find constellations such as the Southern Cross and Scorpio, read stories from Indigenous Australian astronomy, and download a free astronomy program for your computer.

During National Science Week you could also participate in the national light pollution survey. Light pollution is when we use too much lighting outside, or shine lights up into the sky. It confuses wildlife, is a waste of energy and makes it hard to see stars and planets.

As part of the project, how much light pollution is in your neighbourhood was measured by counting stars. The more stars you see, the less light pollution there is.

People from all around the country entered their results into the Big Aussie Star Hunt website, and helped to create a light pollution map of Australia, which will help show where we can save energy and help the environment.

The light pollution survey is now complete, and the website shows an amazing map detailing the best places in Australia to see the stars.  There was great participation in the survey with 800 entries including 135 from schools. Well done to all the citizen astronomers of Australia!