Stars are disappearing from the night sky, according to a new study.
Not literally, but according to the findings of an 11-year study, light pollution is increasing rapidly, making it more difficult for humans and animals to see the stars.
Globe at Night is a campaign run by NOIRLab, a US research centre for nighttime astronomy.
By analysing data from more than 50,000 observations from citizen scientists between 2011 and 2022, it found that the sky is getting up to 10% brighter every single year.
If this continues, the researchers project that a child born today in a place where 250 stars are visible would only be able to see 100 by the time they turn 18.
Why does this matter? If you’ve ever stargazed on a clear night, whether for five minutes or three hours, you’ll know firsthand the positive impact it has on the brain.
Mark Westmoquette, an astrophysicist, zen teacher and author of Mindful Thoughts for Stargazers, previously told Metro.co.uk that spending time looking at the stars allows us to ‘hit the pause button,’ and even help us to get a better night’s sleep.
It’s well-documented that spending time in nature benefits our mental health and there is loads of research that connects awe (the feeling of fascination, wonder and astonishment you get when you see something vast and beautiful, like a sunset or mountain range) with improved mental and physical health. That includes less stress, more happiness and more creativity.
And what is more awe-inducing than a sky full of stars?
The five best places to stargaze in England
Thankfully, we haven’t lost our view of the stars yet, and there’s a variety of places around the country where the sky is dark enough to see more stars than you could ever dream of in a city like London.
CPRE, the countryside charity, put together a handy list.
Exmoor National Park
The national park in Exmoor which spans north Devon and East Somerset, was named Europe’s first Dark Sky Reserve in 2011.
You can follow a two-mile discovery trail to see 360 degree views of the night sky.
Northumberland National Park
Want to see The Milky Way? Head to Northumberland National Dark Sky Park, which has been awarded gold tier status by the International Dark Sky Committee.
In the heart of the park you’ll find the Kielder Observatory, where you can book to look at galaxies and nebulae and shooting stars.
South Downs National Park
Down in the South East, the South Downs National Park is an ideal place to catch views of the Andromeda Galaxy.
The area was granted Dark Sky Reserve status back in 2016.
North York Moors National Park
This park became a Dark Sky Reserve in 2020. According to its website, you can spot up to 2,000 stars in its darkest areas.
Bodmin Moor, Cornwall
Bodmin Moor is an Area of Outstanding National Beauty (AONB).
Not only does it have Dark Sky Reserve status, it’s also recognised for its efforts to reduce light pollution and promote educational outreach.
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source https://metro.co.uk/2023/01/23/the-5-best-places-to-stargaze-in-england-while-you-still-can-18139076/
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