Gazing upon the night skies at the Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors Dark Sky Reserves

Gazing upon the night skies at the Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors Dark Sky Reserves

In the heart of North Yorkshire, the North York Moors National Park and the nearby Yorkshire Dales National Park have been transformed into a stargazer's paradise. Both parks were designated as International Dark Sky Reserves in December 2020, offering visitors the opportunity to witness the night sky in all its glory.

The North York Moors International Dark Sky Reserve, in particular, provides some of the darkest skies in the UK, with light pollution readings as low as 21.6 on the Bortle scale. This makes it an ideal location for stargazing enthusiasts and novices alike.

One of the most awe-inspiring celestial bodies that can be observed in the reserve is the Andromeda Galaxy. Located approximately 2.5 million light-years away, the Andromeda Galaxy is the furthest object visible to the naked eye and can be seen in much greater detail with the aid of telescopes.

Modern telescopes, like the ESA's Flyeye telescope, have demonstrated the ability to capture detailed images of the entire galaxy in one frame, highlighting its vast scale and the richness of stars contained within.

The Grand Hotel in nearby York organises a 'dark skies package' for those wishing to experience the spectacle, while AstroDog, an astronomy and astrophotography business based on the Yorkshire coast, holds stargazing events during the Dark Skies Festivals and throughout the year.

The coast along the North York Moors has clear views of the northern horizon and occasionally the Northern Lights, making it a perfect location for capturing breathtaking astronomical photographs. Iconic structures such as the Ribblehead Viaduct can also be photographed with the Milky Way as a backdrop.

Inside the park, Hutton-le-Hole village is another location for stargazing, while Rosedale Chimney Bank and Robin Hood's Bay offer additional photo opportunities. Byland and Rievaulx Abbey provide beautiful foregrounds for stargazing, with the fish pond outside Newburgh Priory offering reflections shots.

For the darkest skies, aim for the core zone in the heart of each park. However, it's important to note that Sutton Bank isn't in the darkest 'core zone' in the national park.

The success of the Dark Skies Festivals in the North York Moors is nurturing an emerging dark-sky economy, with several Dark Sky Discovery Sites throughout the two parks, offering good sightlines and public access. Outside the parks, there are more Dark Sky Discovery Sites in two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty: five in Lancashire's Forest of Bowland and four in Nidderdale.

The event aims to make stargazing accessible to people who may not have seen such dark skies before, providing a unique and unforgettable experience for all who attend. Whether you're a seasoned stargazer or a curious novice, the North York Moors offers a celestial journey like no other.

[1] https://www.esa.int/esapub/index.cfm/SearchResults?c=SpaceTelescope&d=Flyeye [5] https://www.space.com/32578-andromeda-galaxy.html

1. The North York Moors International Dark Sky Reserve, a stargazer's delight, boasts the darkest skies in the UK, making it an ideal location for both enthusiasts and novices to observe the night sky.
2. The Andromeda Galaxy, located approximately 2.5 million light-years away, is a celestial body that can be observed in the reserve, with much greater detail visible through the use of telescopes.
3. Modern telescopes, such as the ESA's Flyeye telescope, have the ability to capture detailed images of entire galaxies like the Andromeda Galaxy in one frame, showcasing their vast scale and richness of stars.
4. For a unique experience, one can opt for the 'dark skies package' offered by The Grand Hotel in nearby York, or attend stargazing events organized by AstroDog during the Dark Skies Festivals and throughout the year.
5. The northern coast of the North York Moors, with its clear views of the northern horizon, offers the possibility of observing the Northern Lights, making it a perfect location for capturing breathtaking astronomical photographs.
6. Inside the park, Hutton-le-Hole village, Rosedale Chimney Bank, and Robin Hood's Bay are locations for stargazing, while iconic structures such as the Ribblehead Viaduct and picturesque sites like Byland and Rievaulx Abbey provide additional photo opportunities.
7. The success of the Dark Skies Festivals in the North York Moors is fostering an emerging dark-sky economy, with several Dark Sky Discovery Sites throughout the two parks and additional sites in Lancashire's Forest of Bowland and Nidderdale, making stargazing accessible to a wider audience.

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