South Downs National Park, in Sussex and Hampshire, has become the world’s 11th certified Dark Sky Reserve, an area where the night is dark enough to really see stars in all their glory.
Of course, that’s the condition of the night sky in areas far from civilization. But the Dark Sky Reserves, certified by the International Dark-Sky Association, are different. They are generally within reach of settled areas and would-be stargazers, but isolated enough that city “skyglow” is not a problem.
Since London is only an hour away, and development in the area is growing, the designation may help guide development to avoid losing the sky view. Dark Sky enthusiasts constantly check the situation with meters that measure the amount of light.
For now, the park is celebrating its status with a series of “star parties,” talks and other events starting Friday. For more information from The Telegraph (UK), click HERE
