Latest news with #InternationalDarkSky
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Yahoo
Country park reveals new dark sky visitor attraction
A HOLIDAY park on the Herefordshire and Powys border is developing a new type of visitor attraction for those seeking dark sky experiences devoid of light pollution. Rockbridge Country Holiday Park based just outside Presteigne will be offering a the experience to visitors called 'The Retreat'. The town and surrounding community became the first in Wales to be designated an International Dark Sky Community by Dark Sky International last year. READ MORE: Major update on plans for Edgar Street stadium redevelopment Entries open for Bromyard Speed Festival 2025 Future of festival uncertain as plans put on hold The holiday park, owned by Discover Parks, are investing in reducing light pollution by creating a transparent viewing dome, a telescope, and plans to educate visitors on how to 'stargaze in style' with the help of the the local Marches Astrology Group. Discover Parks owners, Glenn and Hannah Jones say the development has taken longer than expected, but it has given them time to create something which will compliment Presteigne's beautiful countryside. Presteigne and its surround countryside became the first community in Wales to be designated an International Dark Sky Community last year (Image: Discover Park)"We are bowled over by the interest so far," Glenn said. "We have been extremely careful not to create light pollution in an area that's been awarded for its dedication to maintaining unpolluted night skies, and that, we feel, is being greatly appreciated.' Leigh-Harling Bowen as the area's Dark Skies Community Leader says this development has been "a long hard slog" but dark sky status is great to achieve. "The Presteigne & Norton community has worked tenaciously over the last six years to highlight the benefits of becoming a dark sky community," Leigh-Harling said. "'The Retreat' at Rockbridge will now be able to offer visitors the opportunity to see unparalleled views of the dark, clear, unpolluted skies of Mid Wales.' The launch of 'The Retreat' will happen this Friday, April 25, as MS Senedd member James Evans will be cutting a ribbon. Glenn himself and other Presteigne Town councillors will be present to mark the occasion. The public are invited to the opening.
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
International Dark Sky Week 2025: See these 10 night sky sights to celebrate
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. April 21 - 28 is International Dark Sky Week, a global celebration of the night sky during which like-minded organizations and people take action to raise awareness of an inevitable aspect of modern-day life: the rising scourge of light pollution. Light pollution is a serious issue for night sky enthusiasts hoping to explore the cosmos from our vantage point on Earth, and is the primary reason why powerful observatories are built in remote locations, such as the Atacama Desert in Chile. Even so, a 2022 study from the Royal Astronomical Society showed that artificial light was polluting the skies over most observatories, while suggesting that immediate action would be needed to safeguard these scientific bastions. But the loss of dark skies is felt far beyond its harmful effects on astronomy. "From the darkness needed for a restful night's sleep to the activities we enjoy beneath the stars, the night plays a crucial role in protecting healthy wildlife ecosystems, advancing science and exploration, preserving cultural knowledge, and much more," reads a post on the International Dark Sky website. Astronomers measure the apparent brightness of a night sky object by its magnitude. The lower this value is, the brighter an associated object is in the night sky. Under good night sky viewing conditions the human eye is capable of picking out objects with a magnitude of around +6, which allows us to view over 9,000 stars without the need for telescopes or binoculars. However, under artificial city lights that limit drops to a magnitude of +3, which renders many deep sky objects and stars lost to sight. To celebrate International Dark Sky Week 2025, we've put together a list of 10 night sky objects visible over the coming days that showcase the majesty of the post-sunset realm. The majority of viewing targets are easily accessible to newcomers using nothing but the naked eye and a dark sky, although some may benefit from the use of a stargazing smartphone app such as Stellarium, or Starry night. However, some of the latter selections in our list would benefit from being viewed through a pair of binoculars, or a telescope, to bring out their true beauty. While the most impressive sights will be found under clear, unspoiled dark skies, many of the viewing targets can be observed in urban areas. Regardless of where you are, be sure to let your eyes adjust to the dark for at least 20 minutes to get the most out of your skywatching experience, and to use a red light when extra illumination is needed to save your night vision! The seven bright stars that form the Big Dipper - also known as the Plough - are among the most famous stellar formations in the Northern Hemisphere. In reality, the stars of the Big Dipper are separated from one another by near unimaginable tracts of space, but from the seemingly unchanging perspective of Earth they come together to create a distinctive bowl and handle shape. The Big Dipper is what is known as an asterism - the term given to a recognizable formation of stars that belongs to an even larger grouping of stellar bodies called a constellation. The Big Dipper's constellation Ursa major - the Great Bear - happens to be a circumpolar constellation, which means that it's always above the horizon in the northern hemisphere, particularly during spring, when it is particularly high overhead. If you're having difficulty spotting this bright asterism then why not turn to a stargazing app, many of which have free functionality and the best of which can be found in our handy guide! The next object on our tour is the magnitude +2 star Polaris, which can be located with the help of the bright stars Merak and Dubhe, which form the outer edge of the Big Dipper's 'bowl'. Simply trace an imaginary line from the base of the bowl (Merak) out through Dubhe, and the next bright star that the line intersects will be Polaris! Polaris is also known as the North Star, owing to the fact that it just so happens to be positioned extremely close to the north celestial pole, which is essentially an extension of Earth's geographic north pole, and around which the entire sky seems to rotate. As such, Polaris held a special significance to our ancestors, who used it to determine their latitude on Earth during long sea voyages. However, the celestial north pole is slowly wandering away from Polaris as a result of a wobble in the rotation of Earth's axis. According to NASA a new North Star will be crowned in around 12,000 years in the bright star Vega. Betelgeuse - or Alpha Orionis if you want to be fancy - is one of the largest stars visible in the Northern Hemisphere. According to NASA, the red supergiant is estimated to shine brighter than up to 14,000 suns. Despite being a mere 10 million years old, Betelgeuse is already nearing the end of its mighty existence, having already expended most of its hydrogen reserves needed to fuel the fusion reaction that prevents the gigantic stellar body from collapsing in on itself. At any point in the next 100,0000 years Betelgeuse could run out of the last of its hydrogen, and end in a cataclysmic supernova explosion that would be visible on Earth, even during the day. To find Betelgeuse in the April night sky, you need only look to the western sky soon after sunset, and locate the three bright stars Alnitak, Alnilam and Mintaka that line up horizontally to form an asterism known as Orion's belt. Then, trace a line up from Mintaka and slightly to the right, to find Betelgeuse. Space agencies and private companies alike have their sights set on exploring the secrets of the Red Planet, with a view to one day putting human boots on its barren surface. During April, Mars is located relatively close to the bright stars Castor and Pollox, which can be found 40 degrees upwards from Betelgeuse in the direction of your local zenith, which is the patch of space directly above your head. The width of your fist from your thumb to the outside of your hand equals around 10 degrees in the sky. With that in mind, all you need to do is stack four fists on top of Betelgeuse, and you will find Castor and Pollux waiting for you side by side. Mars can then be seen as a bright red point of light to the upper left of the two stars. Less than 10 degrees to the upper left of Mars this week is the Beehive cluster, which appears as a fuzzy patch of light to the naked eye under clear dark skies, and something all the more spectacular with the aid of a pair of binoculars, or telescope. According to NASA, the Beehive cluster is home to around 1,000 stars that are loosely bound together by gravitational attraction. The enormous stellar beehive is thought to be 600 - 700 million years old, and was initially mistaken as a nebula by the famed astronomer Galileo Galilei when he observed it in the early 1600s. A pair of good binoculars will reveal tens of stars clustered together in the Beehive, while a telescope could reveal hundreds more of the blue-white stellar bodies. The eastern pre-dawn horizon in late April is a veritable planet bonanza, with Venus, Saturn, Mercury and Neptune all crowding in together into a relatively small patch of sky. The planets are best viewed in the hour preceding dawn, and will require a clear view of the horizon. Venus, the brightest of the planetary quartet, will be visible roughly 10 degrees above the horizon, while Saturn will be visible to the lower right a short distance away. Mercury, the last of the easily visible planets, may also be visible almost directly on the horizon. Neptune will be visible through binoculars or a telescope below Venus and to the left of Saturn, forming a planetary triangle. As always, readers are reminded to exercise extreme caution when using a telescope or binoculars in close proximity to the rising sun. Named for its aesthetic similarity to the iconic piece of headwear, the Sombrero galaxy (M 104) is one of the most iconic and easily recognizable cosmic objects discovered by astronomers to date. The galaxy is tilted almost edge-on to Earth, and features a bright active core and thick, shadowy dust lanes that span some 50,000 light years across. With a magnitude of +8 the vast galaxy sits just outside of the perception range of the human eye. However, it can be spotted under dark skies using a pair of binoculars, which will reveal the vast structure of gas and stars as a small smudge of light. Through a larger telescope it is possible to gain greater levels of detail. Be sure to check out guides for the best binocular and telescope deals to help you find the optics you need to see the Sombrero Galaxy and other deep sky wonders. A good way to locate the Sombrero Galaxy is to pick out the magnitude 2.8 star Kraz near the southern horizon after dark, and then look upwards until you find the similarly bright star Porrima to the right of Spica. M 104 can be found roughly half way between the two. Located 34,000 light-years from Earth, the globular cluster Messier 3 (M3) is known to contain over 500,000 stars. Despite its stelliferous nature, the deep sky object was initially mistaken for a nebula by its discoverer Charles Messier back in 1764, though this wrong would later be put right by William Herschel some 20 years later, when he resolved individual stars within the cluster. As explained by NASA, the best way to find Messier 3 is to return to the Big Dipper asterism, and draw an imaginary line connecting the star at the very end of the handle, Alkaid, and Arcturus. Then, using a starfinding app, find the magnitude 2.84 star Cor Caroli. The globular cluster we seek is located a third of the way towards Cor Caroli. Bode's galaxy is located some 11.6 million light-years from Earth in the constellation Ursa Major, and is one of the brightest galaxies to be found in the night sky, with an apparent magnitude of +6.9. The cosmic structure was discovered in 1774 by German astronomer Johann Elert Bode, and later imaged by the Hubble telescope to magnificent effect. One way to find Bode's galaxy is to locate Dubhe in the bowl of the Big Dipper, along with the magnitude +3.5 star Muscida. Find the halfway point between the two, and head in the direction of Polaris. This imaginary line will bring you close to our target, along with the dimmer galaxies M82, and NGC 3077. As noted by NASA, it is possible to spot Bode's galaxy as a smudge of light in the spring sky with a pair of binoculars. However, a small telescope will be needed to resolve the galaxy's bright core, which is suspected to play host to a monstrous singularity 15 times the mass of the Milky Way's supermassive black hole. Our final entry is the Andromeda galaxy, a vast spiral galaxy located some 2.5 million light years from Earth, which is destined to collide and merge with the Milky Way some 4.5 billion years from now to form an even larger elliptical galaxy. During spring, the Andromeda galaxy is best viewed in the hours before dawn by looking to the north eastern horizon and finding the prominent star Mirach close to the horizon. The Andromeda galaxy will be located a little under 10 degrees above Mirach, visible as a fuzzy patch of light to the naked eye.
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Yahoo
What is astrotourism? Discover Utah's stellar destinations
NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore spent 286 days among the billions of stars that make up the universe. But you don't have to leave the planet to immerse yourself in the cosmos. Rather than an astronaut, you can be an astrotourist. Utah has some of the darkest skies on Earth and the highest concentration of certified International Dark Sky parks and communities in the world. For the fifth consecutive year, Gov. Spencer Cox declared April as 'Dark Sky Month' in Utah, touting the tourism benefits stargazing brings to the state and its Western neighbors. 'Visitors to Utah engaging in astrotourism tend to stay longer, spend more and mitigate harmful tourism impacts on the local community,' according to an official declaration Cox signed. A article says it is impossible to talk about astrotourism without mentioning Utah. 'The landscape is so varied — there are beautiful tall snowy mountains, winding red rock canyons, arches and everything in between,' Bettymaya Foott, an astrophotographer and director of engagement at the International Dark Sky Association, told the publication. 'The juxtaposition of a beautiful starry sky against a breathtaking landscape makes it pretty hard to take a bad photo.' Astrotourism is traveling to places — sometimes remote locales — where it's possible to see celestial events such as stars, planets, eclipses and meteor showers due to minimal light pollution. It also includes visiting observatories, planetariums and other astronomy-related places. 'Preserving the night sky is vital to Utah's long-lasting tourism economy and a dynamic visitor experience,' Natalie Randall, managing director of the Utah Office of Tourism and Film, said in a press release. 'Utah State Parks, national parks and local communities have shown tremendous leadership in prioritizing night sky preservation and offering unique year-round programs for both residents and visitors.' Astrotourism is anticipated to generate nearly $6 billion and support over 113,000 new jobs in the Colorado Plateau over the next decade, according to the Utah tourism office. The Colorado Plateau, a region that includes parts of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah, is known for its dark, star-filled night skies. A 2019 study found tourists in national parks are increasingly interested in observing the night sky, especially considering that natural recreational amenity is quickly disappearing from the planet. The study forecasts that tourists who value dark skies will spend $5.8 billion over the next 10 years in the Colorado Plateau and create more than 10,000 new jobs in the area each year. 'Furthermore, as dark skies are an even more intense natural amenity in the non-summer months, they have the ability to increase visitor counts to national parks year-round and lead to a more efficient use of local community and tourism-related resources throughout the year,' the study says. All five of Utah's national parks — Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef and Zion — as well as 10 state parks and three communities are accredited International Dark Sky places. 'While Utah's stunning state parks draw visitors from across the globe during the daytime hours, you don't want to miss out on the magic that begins after sunset,' Utah State Parks director Scott Strong said in a press release. 'Dark sky programs offer visitors a unique perspective. Experiencing state parks like Goblin Valley, Kodachrome Basin and Dead Horse Point under the starry sky is an experience that you're sure to remember forever.' The International Dark Sky Places program certifies communities, parks and protected areas around the world that preserve and protect dark sites through responsible lighting policies and public education, according to DarkSky has certified more than 200 places since Flagstaff, Arizona, was named the first International Dark Sky City in 2001. There are nearly 62,000 square miles of protected land and night skies in 22 countries on six continents. Certified areas are required to use quality outdoor lighting, effective policies to reduce light pollution and ongoing stewardship practices. Natural Bridges National Monument in southern Utah was the first dark sky designated park in the world. According to DarkSky, certification alerts visitors to light pollution and the need to preserve the night sky as a natural resource. It supports management agencies in achieving long-term conservation targets and connecting people to nature. It also serves as an economic driver by fostering increased tourism and local economic activity. The Utah declaration says stargazing, astronomy programs, star parties, dark sky photography and other activities allow Utahns and visitors to enjoy the physical and emotional benefits of the night sky. Dark skies are also integral to the well-being of many animal and plant species, and are shown to have positive health impacts on people.
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Super new moon won't be visible in Texas, but stars will. See map of dark sky communities
A rare astronomical event will take place Saturday as a super new moon moves across the sky. Although this phenomenon brings the moon closer to Earth, don't expect to see it in Texas — this phase keeps the moon hidden in the dark sky, making it invisible to the naked eye. Still, the dull moonlight will bring darker night skies, allowing the stars to shine brighter than ever and providing ideal conditions for stargazing. A super new moon happens when the moon is at its closest point to Earth (perigee) during its new moon phase. This means the moon is slightly nearer and appears a bit larger in its orbit, though this effect is not visible to us. Unfortunately, don't let the name fool you. There's nothing spectacular about a "super new moon" and you actually cannot see it. During the new moon phase, the moon is positioned between the Earth and the Sun, meaning the side facing us isn't lit. So, even though it's closer than usual, it remains hidden in the dark sky. However, the absence of moonlight means darker skies, making it a perfect opportunity to see stars shining even brighter. The next super full moon will be on Nov. 5, 2025. The next full moon, known as the Pink Moon, will reach its peak on Sunday, April 13. Texas is home to several International Dark Sky Communities, designated by the International Dark-Sky Association for their commitment to reducing light pollution and preserving night skies. Dripping Springs, located about 23 miles west of Austin, was the first in Texas to earn this title in 2014 and the sixth in the world. In addition to these communities, Texas also boasts several Dark Sky Places, which include larger natural areas like parks or preserves dedicated to protecting the night sky. These areas typically have minimal artificial light and offer educational opportunities about astronomy. Notable examples of Dark Sky Places in Texas include Big Bend National Park, Enchanted Rock, and Devils River State Natural Area. Here are the areas officially recognized for Dark Sky initiatives in Texas. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Best places for stargazing in Texas: See map of dark sky communities
Axios
28-01-2025
- Axios
Utah is the heart of a booming night-sky tourism industry
Night-sky tourism, or "noctourism," is set to be a major travel driver this coming year, predicts. Why it matters: Utah has already been pushing stargazing hard, with a fast-spreading campaign to get parks, towns and resorts certified as " International Dark Sky Places." There are 29 in the state — the highest concentration in the world, per the state tourism office, and 155 listed nationally. The big picture: The trend could bring travelers — and their dollars — to more remote locales with better night skies. Zoom in: All five of Utah's national parks are certified Dark Sky places, as are many state parks, national monuments and towns like Moab, Helper and Torrey. Between the lines: A lot of the best stargazing destinations don't advertise themselves. Utah has plenty of remote country roads where you can simply pull over, step outside and look up. How it works: You can use Dark Site Finder's online map to help you plan some noctourism of your own. Try an app like Sky Guide to ID the planets and stars you're seeing. Just keep the brightness low to avoid ruining your night vision. Use flashlights or headlamps with red LEDs, for the same reason. The intrigue: With the sun now in "solar maximum," it's also prime time for aurora-hunting in northern-latitude locales like Alaska, Iceland and the Nordic countries. Yes, but: Some astronomers and stargazers are worried that the ever-increasing amount of satellites and space junk in low Earth orbit could mar our views of the night sky — perhaps forever.
