Beach Walk #569 – Pluto and Dark Skies

Posted on January 15, 2008 
Filed Under Environment, Guests, Interviews, Science, Video Podcasts

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My guest today is Richard Wainscoat, PhD, an astronomer at the University of Hawaii and also a photographer. He was on the committee that "de-commissioned" Pluto from being a bonafide planet (and tells us why) and is also working with the International Association of Dark Skies and the City and County of Honolulu to reduce light pollution. Apologies for rushing my guest somewhat; I just wanted to address several of the interesting things with which he is involved!

Hawaiian Word:
Lani: sky But really, check out the richness of the concept of "sky" in the Hawaiian language here.)

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Comments

4 Responses to “Beach Walk #569 – Pluto and Dark Skies”



  1. JFSD (Jonnie) on January 15th, 2008 5:26 am

    Pluto was the 9th planet when I was a kid, now it's not, and that's exciting. What other discoveries are we going to see?

    We have the Hale* telescope here on Mt. Palomar which is about a 90 minute drive from San Diego (45 minutes north on the highway, and then 45 minutes up a very, very twisty road up the mountain).

    • http://www.astro.caltech.edu/palomar/

      The city went around and changed all the white street lights to orange ones to help reduce the light emission years ago - but they're hard on your eyes (hard to see contrasts). I'm not sure what the status of that is today since we (the world) have the Hubble telescope which is roaming around in outer space and is free from light pollution.

      Another great show - mahalo!



  2. Sheila on January 15th, 2008 7:30 am

    Fascinating!



  3. Bob from Canada on January 15th, 2008 8:07 am

    isn't it wonderful how municipalities are getting more involved in energy reducing initiatives and Dr.Wainscoat's idea is long overdue...especially in Hawaii........good incite and very well produced......thank you



  4. glynda on January 17th, 2008 4:03 am

    Good stuff. Thanks to Hawaii for forging ahead and setting a standard. These type of common sense attitudes are really taking hold. I'm thinking it's starting to not look so hopeless. That was very interesting, thank you.



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