REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- The Indonesian National Institute of Aeronautics and Space (Lapan) has called upon people to enjoy a safe dark night sky, preventing light pollution by turning off all outdoor lamps for one hour from 08.00 pm to 09.00 pm every August 6.
The program called Malam Langit Gelap (Dark Night Sky) was launched by the Head of Lapan, Thomas Djamaluddin, in Jakarta on Friday.
The program, Thomas said, aims to give a chance to the people to be able to see the Milkyway Galaxy with billions of stars in a very clear night sky.
He added that the dry season in August is a perfect time to observe the stars. In addition, the program also campaigns for the Space Day.
"Dark Night Sky is expected to make people aware about the importance of saving the night sky from light pollution. This is also a campaign to save energy," Thomas said.
He added that Lapan would like to make people understand the importance of science, especially space and flight technology.
A night sky revealing a bright view of Milkyway Galaxy, Thomas said, is rare in urban areas due to high light pollution on account of lamps in buildings, houses and streets.
These lights, he added, hinder the light of millions of constellations, such as Cygnus in the northern hemisphere.
Lapan suggested that the government should establish a location which is free of lights, called the dark sky park, and make it a national observatorium area.
Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara province was chosen to be the dark sky park as it has dry season that allows bright nights to occur over a long time.
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