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The UK's First International Dark Sky Park

Galloway Forest Park has been officially unveiled as the first Dark Sky Park in the UK.

The award, announced by the International Dark-sky Association, confirmed Galloway as one of the best places for stargazing in the world.

This award comes after 18 months of work by the park in collaboration with the International Year of Astronomy 2009 in the UK.

The news was announced on Monday 16 November 2009 that Galloway Forest Park had become the first International Dark Sky Park in the UK, and joint first in Europe, with Zselic Landscape Protection Area in Hungary being simultaneously awarded International Dark Sky Park status.

Campaign for Dark Skies e-petition

Light pollution is the result of wasted light, which means wasted energy. The Campaign for Dark Skies, working with Cardiff Astronomical Society, are calling on the National Assembly for Wales to urge the Welsh Assembly Government to provide clear guidance to Welsh local authorities regarding light pollution.

Such guidance should be aimed at curbing light pollution by setting clear limits for lighting on all planning applications and by placing a statutory duty on local authorities to reduce the amount of wasted light in their area.

Sign the e-petition here (you needn't be resident in Wales to sign)

Royal Astronomical Society Special Discussion Meeting

The International Year of Astronomy
1030 - 1530 Friday 11 December 2009
(Geological Society Lecture Theatre, Burlington House)

The International Year of Astronomy 2009 is a watershed for astronomy outreach worldwide. From Telescopes for Schools to Twitter Star parties, from Moonwatches to public exhibitions of art and images, from planetarium shows like 'We Are Astronomers' to Dark Sky Parks, this meeting provides an opportunity to describe what has been achieved in the thousands of events, activities and projects that have been happening throughout IYA2009 in the UK.

This event is free to RAS members. For non-members it is £15 / £5 for students, collected at the door.