This Dark Sky painting  is a result of a collaboration between five young people with myself.   Lucy, Arend, Ayla, Ciaran and Darragh attended the first ever Space Camp in Louisburgh Co Mayo on July 3rd, 4th, and 5th. Over three mornings we worked together to understand the importance of protecting the dark sky. In the painting the children as silhouettes become one with the dark sky. The creatures we made also merge. Bees, butterflies, and ladybirds were created by the group to help us learn about how light pollution affects all of us on planet Earth. The background of the painting shows the Milky Way over Louisburgh looking North. The constellation Perseus is depicted including  its yellow star Mirfak.  Top right on the painting are two stars of Cassiopeia, Segin and Ruchbah. During the creation of the work a comet made news in the astronomy world. Comet C/S3 (PanSTARRS) had an outburst of gas making it brighter.  The comet … Continue reading →