Science Cafe NH Discussion: Dark Skies and Light Pollution in Concord, NH Nov 13th

CONCORD NH – Science Cafe NH has teamed up with the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center for Science Cafe's November 13, 2012 discussion on Dark Skies and Light Pollution in New Hampshire. This discussion aims to address how space has an economic impact in New Hampshire's Dark Sky as well as discussing how light pollution effects tourism, quality of life, and the NH advantage.

The issue of light pollution garnered recent attention in New Hampshire. In July 2012, residents of Merrimack were concerned with the excessive amount of light coming from the new Merrimack Premium Outlets. The construction of the Merrimack Premium Outlets is merely one example of how light pollution is affecting the state of New Hampshire.

The Science Café will include three speakers with deep connections to astronomy and New Hampshire, and is moderated by The Telegraph’s David Brooks, of GraniteGeek.org. Speakers include: David McDonald, director of education for the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center, and astronomy instructor at Plymouth State University Graduate School and Granite State College; Ted Blank, avid amateur astronomer, organizer of the monthly New Hampshire Astronomical Association Side Walk Astronomy evenings, and Nasa Solar System Ambassador; and Bob Gillette, a former science journalist and foreign correspondent with the Los Angeles Times. Gillette worked with a bipartisan group of New Hampshire legislators to draft and lobby a bill aimed at protecting New Hampshire's dark skies and encouraging energy efficiency by state agencies in outdoor lighting in 2009.

The event starts at 7 p.m. and is free to attend. The Dark Skies and Light Pollution discussion will take place November 13, 2012 at The Barley House, 132 North Main Street, Concord, New Hampshire. There will be food and drink for sale at The Barley House and attendees are entitled to 10 percent off dinner the night of the discussion.

Science Café NH strives to bring together science-minded people and have discussions of issues related to New Hampshire. Science Café NH events include people considered experts in their field. Past panelists have included tech corporation officials, academics from UNH and Dartmouth College, the state climatologist and the state director of public health, and many others. If you miss seeing the Big Dipper or Orion's Belt in the night sky, drop by the Science Cafe NH free event happening on November 13, 2012 at The Barley House in Concord, New Hampshire.

Science Cafe New Hampshire is a grassroots effort to encourage informal but science-based discussion of issues important to New Hampshire. It was started in 2011 by two science fans, Dan Marcek and Sarah Eck, with no funding or sponsorship.