Like many aspects of planet Earth, our view of the night sky has suffered from pollution effects. Emissions from the industry along with stray light from outdoor lamps make it difficult for people in many regions to fully enjoy the constellation.
The International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) works to preserve the night sky for its cultural and scientific value, and to do so it has worked with countries to create dark sky preserves around the world. Here’s a look at those 16 certified dark sky international reserves and where they are.
Alpes Azur Mercantour (France)
The mild climate and the famous biodiversity in Mercantour National Park in France make it a popular dark conservation among astronomy enthusiasts, according to the IDA. One of the first mountain observers, Mont Mounier was founded here at the end of the 19th century. Between the stars you can enjoy the mountains and the nearby coast.
Read more about Mercantour National Park
Aoraki Mackenzie (New Zealand)
In the 1908s, local officials began more aggressively controlling outdoor lighting in the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve in New Zealand, not only to protect the air but also to save energy and protect wildlife, according to the IDA. The Māori, who are indigenous people in this region, use the night sky for navigation and also have a wealth of astronomy and star culture that is culturally important. Helping to keep the Māori uncontaminated is therefore one of the reasons IDA is happy to maintain the dark skies of this area.
Learn more about the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve
Brecon Beacons National Park (Wales)
Brecon Beacons National Park in Wales is so isolated that sheep people are 30 to 1, according to IDA. However, the community of about 33,000 residents has worked hard to make 100 percent of their lighting conducive to the preservation of dark skies. It’s a big win for astronomy enthusiasts, because there used to be a lot of lighting that knew views of astronomy, according to the IDA.
Read more about Brecon Beacons National Park.
Central Idaho (United States)
If you’re looking for a wilderness experience similar to what our ancestors had, Stanley Lake in central Idaho is one of the few places that not only lacks in electricity but also service for mobile phones, says IDA. The rough terrain in the region has made it difficult to place infrastructure, which has left some really dark skies for visitors. During the day there are also opportunities for walking, backpacking and horse riding.
Learn more about Central Idaho’s Dark Sky Conservation.
Cévennes National Park (France)
Although much of France has been urbanized over the centuries, Cévennes remains uniquely dominated by the mountainous terrain in this region. There is no shortage of people – some 71,000 inhabitants in 250 villages – but the region consists for the most part of agricultural land, with activities in the area including mountain biking, fishing, hiking and spelunking (exploring caves). Local authorities have also done their best to preserve the sky views, says IDA.
Learn more about conserving dark skies from the Cévennes National Park.
Cranborne Chase (England)
Cranborne Chase’s newly designated dark sky conservation in Dorset, UK has a (from 2019) chalk formation, sharp hills and numerous claws and gravels, says IDA. The stunning scenery adds to the beauty of the night sky, which has been preserved between the counties of Dorset, Hampshire and Wiltshire. Adjacent to this reserve is Salisbury Plain, home of the famous Stonehenge Monument.
Learn more about preserving dark skies Cranborne Chase.
Exmoor National Park (England)
If you are looking for a dark sky reserve within a short drive of city centers, Exmoor National Park in Devon, UK offers exceptional views and accessibility at the same time. History buffs can also visit Bronze Age cemeteries as an abandoned medieval settlement in the region, IDA says.
Learn more about Exmoor National Park.
Kerry (Ireland)
When you wake up from the dark sky views of County Kerry, a barren region of Ireland, you know you are not alone. Neolithic residents of the region built stone monuments nearly 6,000 years ago to keep track of the sun, moon, and stars, and some of the Ogham language inscriptions in the region describe celestial observations, the IDA says.
Learn more about Kerry Ireland’s Dark Sky Conservation.
Mont-Mégantic (Quebec)
Mont-Mégantic, located near the large city of Sherbrooke in Quebec, has some unique features for visitors, including an observatory. The 34 municipalities in this region have agreed to lighting regulations for outdoor lighting to control the spread of light pollution, which IDA says would be a good model for other interested urban areas who want to pursue the matter.
Learn more about preserving Mont-Mégantic’s dark air.
Moore’s Reserve (South Downs, England)
“It is noteworthy that all relatively dark areas remain between London and the south coast of England,” says IDA about South Downs National Park on the English coast, which is only 100 km from the greater London area.
The park was able to maintain its dark skies even with 108,000 residents and a highly urbanized center within a reasonable driving distance. In fact, nearly 10 million people live within a two-hour drive of this park. The Dark Sky Reserve has been named Moore’s Reserve in honor of local astronomer Sir Patrick Moore (1923-2012) to honor his contributions to the field.
Learn here about Moore’s Reservation in South Downs National Park.
NamibRand Nature Reserve (Namibia)
The NamibRand Nature Reserve in Namibia represents one of the largest private nature reserves on the continent. While it also provides shelter for the local ecology and wildlife, the reserve’s mandate is more extensive to include protecting the night air. School children are among the visitors who often sleep in ‘open air’ units to see the sky above the sky, says IDA.
Pic du Midi (France)
The Pic du Midi, a popular mountain reserve in the French Pyrenees, attracts roughly 1.5 million visitors a year, largely on the back of its IDA designation as a dark-sky zone, says IDA. (The zone also includes a World Heritage Site, United Nations Scientific and Cultural Organization, and a French national park.) The nearby University of Pau and Pays de l’Adour are currently conducting scientific studies of the sky to the best. preserved for future generations.
Rhön (Germany)
The Rhön Mountains in Germany, as the “land of endless horizon”, as the mountainous area is often called, is seventh among the populous states of Hesse, Bavaria and Thuringia. The core zone has slightly more populated regions around the area, working to ensure that their outdoor lighting does not interfere with the pristine nights, according to IDA.
River Murray (Australia)
The Murray River Reserve in Victoria, Australia was originally set up to protect the endangered southern hairy wombat, but astronomy was added to the area’s mandate (in part) to recognize that the core region is exceptionally dark, IDA says. Local regulations limit development in the park to structures that will help with management, and only a “few rough tracks” represent available facilities within the park boundaries.
Snowdonia National Park (Wales)
This mountainous region of Snowdonia National Park in Wales has, since time immemorial, not many people settled within its borders. This has given our people today the opportunity to experience the dark skies, says IDA. What also makes this site interesting is the large size, with 810 square kilometers (2100 square kilometers) covering about a tenth of Wales’ land area.
Westhavelland (Germany)
Just 70 miles (70 km) from Berlin, Westhavelland, a dark sky reserve in Germany, contains a sparse population, beautiful wetlands and a beautiful night sky on clear nights. Local officials are working to open up efforts to ‘astrotourism’ with public outreach, a communications program and an annual WestHavelländer AstroTreff star festival, says IDA.
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