Exmoor National Park in south-west England held its 10th dark skies festival through October, celebrating its status as Europe's first designated international dark sky reserve. Families came for fireside question sessions, telescope views of Saturn and bioluminescence walks in the woods.
Astronomers Jo and Peter Richardson, who run space science workshops, say the aim is to make people think about light pollution at home. It is not about switching every light off, Jo Richardson says, but about using lights wisely. Some children from their clubs have gone on to become professional astronomers.
Research shows the night sky grows about 10% brighter each year because of light pollution. Exmoor's darkest zone rates a two on the nine-level Bortle scale. Ecologist Kate Lacey says the darkness also protects rare Bechstein's and barbastelle bats, which rely on it to hunt and navigate.
