THE most detailed ever satellite maps of England’s light pollution and dark skies have shown the Blackdown Hills as the fifth darkest Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in England.

The interactive online maps, released by the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRS), were produced using satellite images captured at 1.30am throughout September 2015.

The Blackdown Hills AONB has very low levels of night-time brightness and overall the South-West is the darkest English region, with the largest proportion of its area (67%) in the two darkest categories.

The CPRE Night Blight report launched alongside the interactive maps outlines the impacts of artificially bright night skies. “It is a sad fact that many children will grow up never seeing the Milky Way, our own galaxy,” it said.

More information is becoming available about the effect of light pollution on wildlife, interrupting natural rhythms including migration, reproduction and feeding patterns. Light spilling up into the night sky is also a waste of money and energy.

The dark, star-filled skies contrasting with the light pollution of the surrounding towns is one of the qualities that make the Blackdown Hills AONB a special place. The AONB Partnership supports measures to conserve and enhance dark skies, for example, encouraging people to consider the impact of artificial light in their plans for development.

To help individuals and organisations minimise light emitting from their homes and premises, the Blackdown Hills AONB has published a series of information sheets.

For those who wish to enjoy the dark skies the Blackdown Hills AONB has to offer, two events are coming up in the autumn:

A night with the stars 1 – Saturday, October 22, 6.30-8.30pm, Culmstock village hall. Visitors can find out what can be seen in the night sky and learn about the myths and stories surrounding the constellations. This is a fun family evening with Jo Richardson (ESERO-UK space ambassador) and Space Detectives.

A night with the stars 2 – Saturday, October 29, 6.30-9pm, Membury. Visitors can join local astronomer Simon Ould on a walk in the hills above Membury to enjoy an evening of guided stargazing.

Both of these events are free but booking is essential. For more information, contact Blackdown Hills AONB on 01823 680 681 or [email protected]