International Dark Sky Week

 

International Dark Sky Week is held during the week of the new moon in April when people worldwide may turn off their lights to observe the beauty of the night sky without light pollution. 

The goals of the event are to:

1. Temporarily reduce light pollution and raise awareness about its effects on the night sky,

2. Encourage the use of better lighting systems that direct light downward instead of into the sky, and

3. Promote the study of astronomy.

This event always occurs in April, during the week of the new moon so that the sky can be as dark as possible for optimum viewing conditions.

Jennifer Barlow states, "The night sky is a gift of such tremendous beauty that should not be hidden under a blanket of wasted light. It should be visible so that future generations do not lose touch with the wonder of our universe." Barlow explains, "It is my wish that people see the night sky in all of its glory, without excess light in the sky as our ancestors saw it hundreds of years ago.

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World Space Week

World Space Week (WSW) is an annual holiday observed from October 4 to 10 in over 95 nations throughout the world. World Space Week is officially defined as "an international celebration of science and technology, and their contribution to the betterment of the human condition". World Space week is organized every year by coordination of the World Space Week Association (WSWA) and the United Nations (UN).

On December 6, 1999, The United Nations General Assembly declared World Space Week as an annual event celebration to be commemorated between October 4 and 10. The choice of dates was based on recognition of two important dates in space history: the launch of the first human-made Earth satellite, Sputnik 1, on October 4, 1957; and the signing of the Outer Space Treaty on October 10, 1967.

World Space Week is the largest annual space event in the world. In 2019, World Space Week was celebrated with over 8,000 events in 96 countries. Events included school activities, exhibitions, government events, and special activities at planetaria around the world.

 

Each year, a theme for World Space Week is established by the Board of Directors of World Space Week Association. Under the theme "The Moon: Gateway to the Stars", many events of World Space Week 2019 focused on the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 landing, plans for human exploration of the Moon, and Lunar observation by telescope.

In 2022, theme of World Space Week is "Space and Sustainability." In 2021, "Women in Space" was the theme. In 2020, the theme for World Space Week was "Satellites Improve Life", and SES CEO Steve Collar was World Space Week 2020 Honorary Chair.

 

The World Space Week Association is a non-governmental, non-profit organization, which is supported by national coordinators in over 50 nations.

Its goals are to educate people around the world about the benefits that they receive from space, encourage use of space for sustainable economic development, foster enthusiastic education and interest in science and cooperation between nations through space outreach and education.

The association provides resources for educators in grade K-12.

A Calendar of Events from nations celebrating World Space Week is available.

 

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International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer

International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer (informally and simply called Ozone Day) is celebrated on September 16 designed by the United Nations General Assembly. This designation had been made on December 19, 2000, in commemoration of the date, in 1987, on which nations signed the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. 

In 1994, the UN General Assembly proclaimed 16 September the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, commemorating the date of the signing, in 1987, of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. The closure of the hole in the ozone layer was observed 30 years after the protocol was signed. 

Due to the nature of the gases responsible for ozone depletion their chemical effects are expected to continue for between 50 and 100 years.

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