Dark Sky preserve

A Dark Sky Preserve is a region where measures to control or eliminate light pollution are enforced.

The first preserve was established in Torrance Barrens in Ontario, Canada. Nevertheless, protection zones around observatories existed well before the creation of that preserve.

Because there are no established standards for a dark sky preserve, such designations are generally through self-proclamation. As a result, the validity of such a designation may be dubious. In some cases, dark sky preserves are neither dark, nor protected. Also, there is some confusion between "reserve","preserve" and "park". The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada prefers to use the word "preserve" because "reserve" could be related to Indian reserve. Otherwise, IDA choose "reserve" to avoid confusion with "park", when using the acronyms IDSR (International Dark Sky Reserve) and IDSP (International Dark Sky Park). The general understanding is than a dark sky park should be relatively dark and promote the astronomy. Dark Sky Preserve comprise a Dark Sky Park and the surrounding communities that are also involved in the protection of the night sky. Following this definition, most existing dark sky preserves are dark sky parks.

Conversely, some observatories are surrounded by protection zones where the light pollution is controlled, even if they are not designated as a dark sky preserve.

The International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) has recently recognised the world's first International Dark Sky Reserve around Mont Mégantic, Québec. [Karalis, Lee; and Legris, Chloé; [http://www.darksky.org/news/press-2007-09-21.php "First International Dark Sky Reserve Is Announced in Québec!"] , International Dark-Sky Association press release, September 21, 2007] IDA has also recognised the world's first International Dark Sky Park at Natural Bridges National Monument, Utah. [ [http://www.darksky.org./news/press-2007-04-19.php] , International Dark-Sky Association press release, April 19, 2007]

List of Dark Sky Preserves

List of Protection Zones around observatories

Other protected zones

Some regions are protected without any reference to an observatory or a park:

* Regions of Coquimbo, Atacama and Antofagasta in the northern Chile.
* Island of La Palma in Canaries
* The Big Island in Hawaii.

References