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| Jodrell Bank backs Northumberland's 'dark sky' bid | Jodrell Bank backs Northumberland's 'dark sky' bid |
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| Two northern institutions have got together to urge special measures for one of the last great 'dark sky' regions in England, where the stars and planets are a revelation to first-time visitors. | Two northern institutions have got together to urge special measures for one of the last great 'dark sky' regions in England, where the stars and planets are a revelation to first-time visitors. |
| The Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics in Cheshire, where Sir Bernard Lovell carried out pioneering work after the Second World War, has thrown its weight behind Northumberland's campaign to get protected status for its wild, little-populated heart. | The Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics in Cheshire, where Sir Bernard Lovell carried out pioneering work after the Second World War, has thrown its weight behind Northumberland's campaign to get protected status for its wild, little-populated heart. |
| The project would create the largest 'dark sky' area in Europe in the wilderness of Kielder Forest and Water together with 140 square miles of the adjoining Northumberland national park. Both provide remarkable views of constellations and the Milky Way and have attracted increasing numbers of 'sky tourists' to enjoy the spectacle. | The project would create the largest 'dark sky' area in Europe in the wilderness of Kielder Forest and Water together with 140 square miles of the adjoining Northumberland national park. Both provide remarkable views of constellations and the Milky Way and have attracted increasing numbers of 'sky tourists' to enjoy the spectacle. |
| Success with the International Dark Sky association would create the UK's fourth area with special status; Exmoor recently achieved silver ranking in the top 'reserve' category, Galloway forest park in Scotland has gold in the second 'park' section and the Channel island of Sark has 'community' status, recognising local people's efforts to reduce artificial light. The Northumberland application still has some work to do to reach its own goal for cutting back on badly-angled public lighting and particularly security lights. | Success with the International Dark Sky association would create the UK's fourth area with special status; Exmoor recently achieved silver ranking in the top 'reserve' category, Galloway forest park in Scotland has gold in the second 'park' section and the Channel island of Sark has 'community' status, recognising local people's efforts to reduce artificial light. The Northumberland application still has some work to do to reach its own goal for cutting back on badly-angled public lighting and particularly security lights. |
| The trio of partners organising the bid, Kielder Water and Forest Park development trust, Northumberland national park authority and Kielder Observatory Astronomical Society, have just completed an audit of external artificial lighting by an army of volunteers. Staying out late with hand-held meters, they found the inkiest conditions in Keilder forest, whose 21.7 reading was respectably close to pitch black at 22. Average light-polluted UK cities register around 17. | The trio of partners organising the bid, Kielder Water and Forest Park development trust, Northumberland national park authority and Kielder Observatory Astronomical Society, have just completed an audit of external artificial lighting by an army of volunteers. Staying out late with hand-held meters, they found the inkiest conditions in Keilder forest, whose 21.7 reading was respectably close to pitch black at 22. Average light-polluted UK cities register around 17. |
| Other particularly dark areas were on the Otterburn Army ranges in the national park and at Holystone, near Rotrhbury, and Harbottle. Overall, approaching 80 percent of external lights met the IDA's taxing standards; but the bid wants more. | Other particularly dark areas were on the Otterburn Army ranges in the national park and at Holystone, near Rotrhbury, and Harbottle. Overall, approaching 80 percent of external lights met the IDA's taxing standards; but the bid wants more. |
| Duncan Wise of the national park authority, says: | Duncan Wise of the national park authority, says: |
| In many cases a simple adjustment of the angle of lighting may suffice in making a fixture less light polluting and this is very much something we are seeking to do in consultation and agreement with owners. We may also be able to help with the costs of replacement if necessary. | In many cases a simple adjustment of the angle of lighting may suffice in making a fixture less light polluting and this is very much something we are seeking to do in consultation and agreement with owners. We may also be able to help with the costs of replacement if necessary. |
| We have had meetings with businesses, residents and parish councils and there is a lot of enthusiasm to gain protected status. We've also been overwhelmed by the support from wildlife and scientific organisations. | We have had meetings with businesses, residents and parish councils and there is a lot of enthusiasm to gain protected status. We've also been overwhelmed by the support from wildlife and scientific organisations. |
Jodrell Bank meanwhile has underlined the value of such a huge dark region, with astronomy seeing a resurgence in popularity; some ten million people watched BBC TV's Stargazing Live last year. The centre's director, Professor Albert Zijlstra, says: | Jodrell Bank meanwhile has underlined the value of such a huge dark region, with astronomy seeing a resurgence in popularity; some ten million people watched BBC TV's Stargazing Live last year. The centre's director, Professor Albert Zijlstra, says: |
| In much of the UK the night sky is now too bright to be able to see the Milky Way. The few remaining dark sites should be protected as a valuable resource able to inspire the next generation. | In much of the UK the night sky is now too bright to be able to see the Milky Way. The few remaining dark sites should be protected as a valuable resource able to inspire the next generation. |
Gary Fildes, Director of Kielder Observatory, says: | Gary Fildes, Director of Kielder Observatory, says: |
| This kind of backing is vital in demonstrating to the IDA that we have a long term commitment to protecting our skies and maintaining the tranquillity of our rural environment. The night sky in Northumberland and especially around the observatory still maintains that true darkness that can ignite and inspire all who see it. It is our most natural of heritages. | This kind of backing is vital in demonstrating to the IDA that we have a long term commitment to protecting our skies and maintaining the tranquillity of our rural environment. The night sky in Northumberland and especially around the observatory still maintains that true darkness that can ignite and inspire all who see it. It is our most natural of heritages. |
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