New research shows that Ireland has some of the clearest skies in Europe. The Emerald Isle is the ninth least light-polluted destination.
New research shows Ireland sits in position 9 in Europe’s top 15 least light-polluted destinations for stargazing.
According to a study by the Central Statistics Office published in December 2020, the county of Dublin has artificial light emissions close to seven times higher than any other county – but the rest of Ireland is not such a grim picture.
A new study from Cruise Croatia – using NASA VIIRS data for European countries – calculates the average light sources per country’s square kilometre, showing how polluted their skies may appear at night and highlighting the top 15 clearest locations for stargazing.
A recent report from Citizen Scientists has revealed that light pollution affecting our night skies has increased by almost 10% a year since 2011 – equivalent to doubling the sky brightness every 8 years.
Additionally, astronomy is having a moment on social media, with the hashtag seeing a dramatic increase in TikTok views over the past year across the globe – showing the importance that clear skies hold for an upcoming generation of stargazers.
Looking at the list below, we can see Ireland sits in 9th position for the clearest skies in Europe:
Ireland’s Astrology Areas:
Currently, Ireland actually has 2 official Dark Sky spots, recognised by the International Dark Sky Association (IDA). One of these is the Mayo Dark Sky Park.
Made up of both the Ballycroy National Park and the Wild Nephin Wilderness, the area consists of 15,000 hectares of protected lands and is home to a wide range of species.
With mainly unsuitable land for agriculture and property, the Mayo Dark Sky Park has very few cities, meaning the skies remain untouched by light and provide prime stargazing conditions for those keen to observe astronomical phenomena.
But what can we do to help secure the future of astro-tourism and our skies?
- Support organisations like the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA).
- Make Individual Changes such as:
- Choosing energy-efficient and shielded outdoor lighting, opting for eco-friendly LED fixtures & using shielded fixtures to direct light downward, reducing light spill and glare.
- Installing motion sensors and timers for outdoor lights and using them only when needed.
- Using Window Coverings, installing blackout curtains or shades to block excess light from outside.
With a collective effort, we can begin to reverse the effects our actions have on light pollution levels, so that our skies can be marvelled at for generations to come.
Speaking of marvels, why not plan your next adventure and consider joining Cruise Croatia on a spectacular stargazing cruise? Learn more on their website.
Press release by Cruise Croatia.
