Galaxy Gazing

How the South Downs National Park Authority has ensured it is still possible to see the Milky Way twinkle over Hampshire

- Natalie French

Did you know, on a clear night the Milky Way and Andromeda can be seen with the naked eye? What’s more, you can see these galaxies from here in Hampshire.

In May 2016, after three years of dedicated research, the South Downs National Park was awarded Dark Sky Reserve (bronze level) status, putting it on the stargazers’ map – alongside other British Dark Sky Reserves Exmoor, Brecon Beacons and Snowdonia National Parks. The special status, awarded by the International Dark-Sky Association, a US-based non-profit organization, means the Dark Sky Reserves will be protected from light pollution so that present and future generations will be able to gaze at the distant stars and galaxies and ponder life – without the glow of street lights.

Given its location in the south of England, so close to the unforgiving glow of the Solent, the park is surprisingly dark. Especially when you consider that 110,000 people live in the National Park and 1.97 million more live right on its doorstep.