Dark Sky Park
A Dark Sky Park or dark-sky preserve is an area kept free of artificial light pollution. The concept is known internationally and because different national organizations have worked independently to create their programmes, different terms have been used to describe the areas, such as reserve, preserve, and park. The International Dark-Sky uses reserve in preference unless an actual park is involved.
"Dark Sky reserves" abroad are frequently used abroad to preserve the darkness of areas around important observatories, to promote astronomy. The concept began in Canada, which has to only established standards for dark-sky preserves. In the United Kingdom the concept is championed by the British Astronomical Association through its ‘Campaign for Dark Skies’, and the areas are self-proclaimed with no specific preservation. Relative darkness is measured on the "Bortle Scale".
Dark-Sky Preserves, Reserves and Parks
| Name | County(s) | Area (in ha) | Bortle Scale | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom: | ||||
| Galloway Forest Park | Kirkcudbrightshire | 185,300 acres | 3 | Designated on 16 Nov 2009[1] |
| Sark | Bailiwick of Guernsey | 1,347 acres | 3 | Designated on 31 Jan 2011; the IDA's first international dark-sky island[2] |
| Exmoor National Park | Devon and Somerset | Designated 10 October 2011 | ||
| Brecon Beacons | Brecknockshire | Designated 19 February 2013 | ||
| Northumberland National Park | Northumberland | 254,500 acres | Designated on 9 Dec. 2013[3] | |
| Coll | Argyllshire (Inner Hebrides) | Designated on 9 Dec 2013[4] | ||
| Republic of Ireland: | ||||
| Iveragh Peninsula | County Kerry | Designated an IDA International Dark Sky Reserve on 27 Jan 2014[5] | ||
Outside links
References
- ↑ Carrell, Severin (2009-11-16). "Astronomers name Scottish park one of world's best stargazing sites". London: The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2009/nov/16/galloway-forest-dark-skies-stargazing. Retrieved 2009-11-16.
- ↑ @
- ↑ "Dark sky status awarded to Northumberland Park area". bbc.co.uk. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-25260186. Retrieved 2013-12-09.
- ↑ "Isle of Coll secures 'dark isle' status". bbc.co.uk. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-25300740. Retrieved 2013-12-09.
- ↑ "Southwest Kerry area receives dark skies designation". irishtimes.com. http://www.irishtimes.com/news/environment/southwest-kerry-area-receives-dark-skies-designation-1.1669828. Retrieved 2014-03-03.