The dark delights of Exmoor’s night sky are safe
I knew a councillor who was passionate about turning off street lights in Lincolnshire villages – not actually to save cash but to offer people some pristine darkness. This article about Exmoor and its wonderful new status gives a clue as to what he was all about.
“Stargazers will be delighted, by the news this week thatExmoorNational Parkhas been designated an International Dark-Sky Reserve by the International Dark-Sky Association – only the second place in the world, after Mont Mégantic inQuebec,Canada, to enjoy such status. The park will now have greater powers to prevent light pollution and protect the night sky for a growing group of enthusiastic astronomers.
“We have seen a big increase inBritainin dark sky tourism,” says Steve Owens, an astronomer based in Glasgow who advised Exmoor on an application process that took more than two years. “It has always been a popular hobby but it really spiked in 2009, the International Year of Astronomy, in which more than a million people took part in some sort of activity.”
I don’t think this sort of thing should be reserved exclusively for national parks and wonder what you think about the idea in your neighbourhood? It clearly can have some economic benefits in addition to saving cash and cutting down our carbon footprint. I am conscious however there is another lobby which says it makes things more challenging for the vulnerable elderly in ruralEngland. What are your views?