The 16th of May is the annual International Day of Light, organised by UNESCO, and is the day that honours the role of light in our lives. The IAU/OAO and the IAU National Outreach Coordinators (NOCs) participate in various events during and around this day to raise awareness on the responsible use of light to preserve dark and quiet skies. The IAU NOC for Greece, The Greek National Astronomical Committee, the Institute for Astronomy, Astrophysics, Space Applications and Remote Sensing, the Philekpedeftiki Etería, and The Office of Secondary Education of Β΄Athens, under the auspice of OAO/IAU, organize a relevant, on-line two days Conference, on Monday 16th and Tuesday 17th of May, 2022.

The two-day conference focuses on information on the multiple effects of light pollution, with the aim of making the stakeholders to reduce it, through the use of intelligent outdoor lighting schemes (16 of May).

Another important goal is to raise awareness and activate stakeholders, citizens, and the school community with the Citizen Science and the implementation of relevant Environmental Education programs (May 17). This will lead to the creation of environmentally sensitive and active citizens in relation to the preservation of the “dark skies”, which are part of our intangible culture.

The event can be attended by:

• Lighting engineers, Astronomers, Amateur Astronomers, Doctors
• Municipal executives
• Environmental organizations
• School communities (students-teachers-parents)
• Geoparks co-ordinators
• Writers
• Journalists specialized on natural and cultural heritage

Press Release