Orion Star Count and Cape Espichel Lighthouse
March 12, 2010
Photographer: Miguel Claro; Miguel's Web Page
Summary Author: Miguel Claro; Jim Foster; Stu Witmer
The photo above shows the familiar constellation of Orion high above the Portugal's noble Cape Espichel Lighthouse. How many stars can you count in Orion from where you live? Help shed light on light pollution! Take a few minutes to monitor your local night sky brightness and submit your measurement online. With half the world’s population now living in cities, light pollution is a huge problem; yet you can easily be part of a local solution. The "GLOBE at Night" campaign runs from March 3 to March 16, 2010.
Cape Espichel Lighthouse is located about 20 mi (32 km) south south west of Lisbon, Portugal. It was first operated in 1790, when its light was powered by oil, but since 1925 it's been run by electricity. It stands 104 ft (32 m) high and sits 551 ft (168 m) above the sea, giving it a luminous range of 26 nautical miles (about 48 km). Photo taken on January 27, 2010.
Photo details: Canon 50D camera; ISO 800; f/5.6; 20 second exposure; Sigma Ex-series lens set to 20 mm; 11:02 p.m. local Portuguese time (GMT).