There are 21 International Dark Sky Reserves in the world, the UK has 4 – the Brecon Beacons, Exmoor, Snowdonia and the South Downs National Parks.
To learn about the important of Dark Skies this interesting article by Graham Bryant FRAS, President of Hampshire Astronomical Group provides some fascinating background;
The Importance of Dark Night Skies
The fortnight of activities start at the 13th through to 23rd February
In the past you would have joined The South Downs National Park Authority at the top of Old Winchester Hill for an evening of stargazing, with telescopes and expert astronomers from Hampshire Astronomical Group guiding you round the night sky.
Running Friday 13th to 23rd February, there are two weeks of cosmic online fun with star parties, talks and family activities celebrating our wonderful dark night skies. This year the SDNP Dark Skies Festival is all about the personal experience of the night skies where you live, learning about the constellations, the history and folk lore that goes with them, and the nocturnal wildlife that depends on them.
- 2025 begins with the planets Venus and Mercury very close to each other. Low in the west after sunset, on a crisp clear evening it should look beautiful. Venus will be very bright.
- Saturn is sinking lower into the west through January. Jupiter is still well placed early evening. Mars remains bright and red and due south at 9pm-ish. However, it is getting smaller and dimmer as the Earth races away in its orbit, leaving the red planet in the rear view mirror.
- Another close encounter comes as Saturn and Venus move within a mere two degrees of each other between 21 and 24 January. Look for them very low in the west from 5.20pm. But hurry – they will set quickly.
- The first of the year’s decent meteor showers is the Lyrids, peaking on the night of the 22 and 23 April. The moon sets just before midnight and then it’s darkness – best for spotting meteors. This is not a prolific shower so don’t expect fireworks. But it’s still worth giving it a try. Look high in the south east, later is better and use your naked eye. Dark areas favoured. You might spot the odd shooting star in the days before and after the peak.
Credit: Richard Darn from darkskies.org
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Click through to the SDNP Facebook page for live interactive sessions to be enjoyed by the whole family!
Dark Night Skies leaflet
To view more events : Southdowns Stargazing
Is it possible to get a copy of the southdown dark sky map