Title: Night sky quality monitoring in existing and planned dark sky parks by digital cameras Author: Zoltán Kolláth, Anita Dömény
A crucial part of the qualification of international dark sky places (IDSPs) is the objective measurement of night time sky luminance or radiance. Modern digital cameras provide an alternative way to perform all sky imaging either by a fisheye lens or by a mosaic image taken by a wide angle lens. Here we present a method for processing raw camera images to obtain calibrated measurements of sky quality. The comparison of the night sky quality of different European locations is also presented to demonstrate the use of our technique.
You don't have to trek to the Outback for a true glimpse of celestial glory - Britain's countryside is far enough. Norman Miller pinpoints the best stargazing spots.
One of the most ravishing sights on Earth should be the night sky - the brightest stars from the billions in our Milky Way, the streak of meteors, planetary neighbours such as Venus and Jupiter, the glow of other galaxies such as Andromeda. Light pollution, however, means few experience this free glory. Read more
At the edge of a loch in a forest in a little-visited corner of Scotland, four men in woolly hats stand slack-jawed, their eyes turned to the sky. You could imagine the scene - towering firs, shimmering water, muddy ground hard with cold - but you would struggle to see it. Because it's dark - really dark. After a few minutes of adjustment, faint shapes come into view - the jagged tops of trees and the bend of the path ahead - but there is no moon tonight. The only illumination comes from a sky so bright with stars it's as if some celestial dimmer switch has been turned up to maximum. Read more
Astronomers of a local star-gazing group have called for the creation of a new observatory. Members of the Wigtownshire Astronomical Society have pitched the idea following an avalanche of phone calls regarding the new Dark Sky status of Galloway Forest Park. The forest was awarded the title last month after it was deemed an exceptional place to stargaze. Since then the Wigtownshire group has received over 700 inquiries about the park. Read more
Scotland has some of the best areas of dark sky in Europe which offer spectacular views of the stars and planets. Come along to our events, in rural locations, small towns and city parks, to enjoy the night sky and find out how astronomers are delving ever deeper into the wonders of the Universe. Read more
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. Read more
A Scottish forest has become the first place in the UK to win a prestigious international award for the darkness of its skies. Stargazers are expected to flock to Galloway Forest Park in their thousands following the decision by judges to make it the UK's first Dark Sky Park.
A bid has been submitted to see a south of Scotland forest recognised as the first "dark sky park" outside the US. Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS) has made the application for the award to be given to the Galloway Forest Park.
Tourist park hopes to be named one of planet's true black spots A Scottish forest is one of two national parks competing to be named Officials from the Forestry Commission Scotland are hoping Galloway Forest Park will beat Hortobágy National Park in Hungary to be crowned Europe's first official "dark sky" zone when delegates at the US-based International Dark Sky Association meet in November.