IN LADAKH, ASTRONOMY AMBASSADORS ARE TRAINED TO OFFER A TOUR OF THE NIGHT SKY

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Key Points

What’s the story:

1. In October 2022, 24 ambassadors from Hanley, including 18 women, were selected as astronomy ambassadors.
2. Ambassadors were trained in basic astronomy to promote India's first astronomy tourism in Ladakh.
3. Each Ambassador is equipped with an 8-inch telescope.
4. Astronomy Tourism is a joint initiative of the Ladakh Union Territory Administration and the Bengaluru-based Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA)

What is dark reserve?

1. A Dark Sky Reserve is a public or private land with a unique nocturnal environment and starry nights that has been responsibly developed to prevent light pollution.
2. According to the International Dark Sky Association (IDSA), these reserves include "a core area meeting minimum criteria for sky quality and natural darkness and a peripheral area supporting dark sky conservation in the core."
3. Individuals or groups can nominate a site for certification in the International Dark Sky Association (IDSA).
4. There are five designated categories, namely International Dark Sky Park, Community, Reserve, Sanctuary, and Urban Night Sky Location.

How does a site become a ‘Dark Sky Reserve’?

1. The certification process for dark sky sites is similar to that of UNESCO World Heritage Sites and biosphere reserves.
2. Between 2001 and January 2022, 195 sites worldwide have been recognized as International Dark Sky Places.
3. IDSA considers a piece of land suitable for a dark sky site if it meets several criteria:

1. Publicly or privately owned
2. Partially or completely accessible to the public during the year
3. Legally protected for scientific, natural, educational, cultural, heritage, and/or public enjoyment purposes
4. The core area of the land provides an exceptional dark sky resource relative to the surrounding communities and cities
5. The land provides night sky brightness determined by a reserve, park, or sanctuary

Who is developing India’s first Dark Sky Reserve?

1. The Ladakh Union Territory administration is leading efforts to establish the country's first dark sky reserve.
2. Situated at an altitude of 4,500 meters above sea level, the Hanle Dark Sky Reserve (HDSR) will fall within the Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary.
3. Experts from the Department of Science and Technology and the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), Bengaluru are providing scientific and technical support in developing this first-of-its-kind facility.
4. IIA already manages the Indian Astronomical Observatory (IAO) complex at Hanle, Ladakh.
5. Scientists are conducting astronomical observations using existing gamma rays, infrared and optical telescopes to study exoplanets, galaxies, and stars through Hanley's ancient skies.
6. The formal decision to establish this Dark Sky Reserve was made in June this year through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between officials of IIA, Bengaluru, Ladakh UT, and Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council.

Why was Ladakh chosen for the project?

1. Ladakh is a unique cold desert with high mountainous terrain.
2. It is located about 3,000 meters above sea level.
3. Long and harsh winters with minimum temperatures dropping below minus 40 degrees Celsius.
4. Large parts of the union territory are highly habitable.
5. The aridity, limited vegetation, high altitude, and large areas with sparse population make the location ideal for long-term astronomical observatories and dark-sky locations

Will this help boost tourism in Ladakh?

1. The primary objective of the proposed Dark Sky Reserve is to promote astronomy tourism in a sustainable and eco-friendly manner.
2. Scientific methods will be used here to protect the night sky from the ever-increasing light pollution
3. Experts have noted that as metros, cities, and peripheral areas face light pollution and constant illumination, there are fewer areas that offer the view of clear skies on cloudless nights

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