Located between New Zealand and Peru, Pitcairn is deep in the heart of the South Pacific, more than 310 miles from its nearest populated neighbor.
www.visitpitcairn.pn
Would you sail the South Pacific for two days and two nights to reach the very darkest night skies on the planet?
Light pollution is everywhere, and though together we could bring dark skies back to towns and cities, the latest certifications issued by the International Dark Sky Association only add to the list of reasons to travel to truly remote areas.
Welcome to the ‘Pitch-Black Bucket-List’. The newest members, the Pitcairn Islands and South Africa’s !Ae!Hai Kalahari Heritage Park, are both remote International Dark Sky Sanctuaries (IDSS) with exceptional, pristine dark skies the likes of which few people have experienced.
The Milky Way as seen from Pitcairn. Mata ki te Rangi is Tahitian for “Eyes to the Sky”.
Rhiannon Adam www.visitpitcairn.pn
Where is the ‘Mata ki te Rangi International Dark Sky Sanctuary’?
Mata ki te Rangi, Tahitian for “Eyes to the Sky”, is the official name for all four islands (Pitcairn, Oeno, Henderson, and Ducie) of the remote Pitcairn Islands, which are located in the deep South Pacific between New Zealand and Peru. Pitcairn, Oeno, Henderson, and Ducie are all part of the new 520,000 square mile Mata ki te Rangi International Dark Sky Sanctuary in the South Pacific.
It’s the first British Overseas Territory, and only island group in the world, to have been granted IDA Dark Sky Sanctuary status. “It is fantastic to see Pitcairn recognized as one of just nine Dark Sky Sanctuaries in the world,” said Lord Tariq Ahmad of Wimbledon, UK Minister of State for the Overseas Territories. “This will help make Pitcairn an outstanding destination for stargazers, tourists, and scientists worldwide and provide a welcome boost to the local economy.”
Best known for being home to the descendants of the HMS Bounty mutineers, the majority of the 45 Pitcairn Islanders are descended from the nine mutineers and their Polynesian consorts who arrived on the Bounty in 1790.
It takes two days sailing to reach Pitcairn.
RSPB
What makes Mata ki te Rangi good for stargazing and astronomy?
Pitcairn’s power supply is shut off between 10.30pm and 06: 00am every night, guaranteeing great stargazing if the skies are clear. Taro Ground, the former (now unused) radio station, has been identified as the best observing site.
As well as a sold-out trip to see a rare total solar eclipse this July 2 (when totality will come to Oeno Island for 2 minutes 51 seconds), Pitcairn Island Tourism is launching an 18-night Explorers Voyage for 10 people in October to visit the new IDSS. The island group’s brand new ship, the MV Bravo Supporter, will offer 21 round-trips annually between Mangareva, French Polynesia, and Pitcairn, up from 12 trips in 2018.
As well as the skies, the waters surrounding the Pitcairn Islands are also some of the world’s most pristine and make up the third largest Marine Protected Area (MPA) in the world.
For such impressions from the Milky Way people go visiting Africa. Combining it with a Safari and sleeping outdoors in the wilderness.
Getty
Where is the ‘!Ae!Hai Kalahari Heritage Park International Dark Sky Sanctuary’?
Also declared an International Dark Sky Sanctuary this month is !Ae!Hai Kalahari Heritage Park, which is part of the 38,000-sq km Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park straddling the border between South Africa and Botswana. This ancestral home of the ǂKhomani San and Mier communities, it’s also home to the proposer of the IDSS certification, !Xaus Lodge, the only place with permanent lighting in the entire !Ae!Hai Kalahari Heritage Park.
The South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) is a facility of the National Research Foundation, which operates under the Department of Science and Technology. The main telescopes used for research are located at the SAAO observation station 15Kms from the small Karoo town of Sutherland in the Northern Cape, a 4-hour drive from Cape Town.
Getty
What makes !Ae!Hai Kalahari Heritage Park good for stargazing and astronomy?
South Africa’s Northern Cape Province is already the country’s premier astro-tourism destination. In the !Ae!Hai Kalahari Heritage Park, !Xaus Lodge offers stargazing to its guests, through telescopes and the naked eye and, naturally, has retrofitted all outside lights so they are shielded and lighting is kept below the horizontal.
“Astro-tourism, has been identified as a particular growth area within the Northern Cape Province, South Africa where the geography, climate, and existence of limited infrastructure provide an ideal environment for astronomy,” said Terance Fife, Chairman of the Joint Management Board of the !Ae!Hai Kalahari Heritage Park. Astro-tourism already exists south of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, specifically around the South Africa Large Telescope (SALT) observatory in Sutherland, and is predicted to soon kick-start at closer Carnarvon, thanks to the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) Radio Telescope.
How dark is an International Dark Sky Sanctuary?
At the darkest places on Earth, the brightest section of the Milky Way should cast a shadow on a moon-less night. Measured using a Sky Quality Meter (SQM), the Pitcairn Islands are between 21.7 and 21.9, while !Xaus Lodge and environs measure an average of 21.6. That’s out of22 These are very, very dark places.
What’s the newest International Dark Sky Sanctuary in the US?
That would be Massacre Rim Wilderness Study Area International Dark Sky Sanctuary in Nevada. Only designated an IDSS in March 2019, this 100,000-acre area of northwest Nevada is a vast land for hikers, riders, campers, and stargazers, where elevations range from 5,520 to 6,780 ft. It’s between the Black Rock Desert-High Rock Canyon Emigrant Trails National Conservation Area (BRNCA) and the Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge (SNWR).
Rainbow Bridge National Monument in Utah, USA is already an International Dark Sky Sanctuary.
Getty
Where are the other International Dark Sky Sanctuaries?
The other six International Dark Sky Sanctuaries (you can find out lots more detail here) include:
- Aotea / Great Barrier Island International Dark Sky Sanctuary, New Zealand
- Cosmic Campground International Dark Sky Sanctuary, New Mexico, USA
- Devils River State Natural Area International Dark Sky Sanctuary, Texas, USA
- Gabriela Mistral International Dark Sky Sanctuary, Elqui Valley, Chile
- Rainbow Bridge National Monument International Dark Sky Sanctuary, Utah, USA
- Stewart Island / Rakiura International Dark Sky Sanctuary, New Zealand
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(******** )Found in between New Zealand and Peru, Pitcairn is deep in the heart of the South Pacific, more than(************************************************************************ )miles from its closest inhabited next-door neighbor.
www.visitpitcairn.pn
Would you cruise the South Pacific for 2 days and 2 nights to reach the really darkest night skies on earth?
(************ )Light contamination is all over, and though(************* )together we might bring dark skies back to towns and cities, the current accreditations provided by the International Dark Sky Association just contribute to the list of factors to take a trip to genuinely remote locations.(********* )(************ )Welcome to the’ Pitch-Black Bucket-List ‘. The most recent members, the Pitcairn Islands and South Africa’s! Ae!Hai Kalahari Heritage Park, are both remote International Dark Sky Sanctuaries (IDSS) with remarkable, beautiful dark skies the similarity which couple of individuals have actually experienced.
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The
Galaxy as seen from Pitcairn. Mata ki te Rangi is Tahitian for” Eyes to the Sky”.
Rhiannon Adam www.visitpitcairn.pn (*********** )
Where is the’ Mata ki te Rangi International Dark Sky Sanctuary’?
Mata ki te Rangi, Tahitian for “Eyes to the Sky”, is the main name for all 4 islands (Pitcairn, Oeno, Henderson, and Ducie) of the remote Pitcairn Islands, which lie in the deep South Pacific in between New Zealand and Peru. Pitcairn, Oeno, Henderson, and Ducie are all part of the brand-new 520,000 square mile Mata ki te Rangi International Dark Sky Sanctuary in the South Pacific.
It’s the very first British Abroad Area, and just island group worldwide, to have actually been given IDA Dark Sky Sanctuary status. “It is great to see Pitcairn acknowledged as one of simply 9 Dark Sky Sanctuaries worldwide,” stated Lord Tariq Ahmad of Wimbledon, UK Minister of State for the Abroad Territories. “This will assist make Pitcairn an exceptional location for stargazers, travelers, and researchers worldwide and offer a welcome increase to the regional economy.”
(************ ) Finest understood for being house to the descendants of the HMS Bounty mutineers, t he bulk of the45 Pitcairn Islanders are come down from the 9 mutineers and their Polynesian accompaniments who got here on the Bounty in 1790.
It takes 2 days cruising to reach Pitcairn.
RSPB
What makes Mata ki te Rangi helpful for stargazing and astronomy?
Pitcairn’s power supply is turned off in between 10.30 pm and 06: 00 am every night, ensuring fantastic stargazing if the skies are clear. Taro Ground, the previous (now unused) radio station, has actually been determined as the very best observing website.
Along with a sold-out journey to see an uncommon overall solar eclipse this July 2 (when totality will pertain to Oeno Island for 2 minutes 51 seconds), Pitcairn Island Tourist is releasing an 18- night Explorers Trip for 10 individuals in October to check out the brand-new IDSS. The island group’s brand name brand-new ship, the MV Bravo Fan, will provide 21 round-trips yearly in between Mangareva, French Polynesia, and Pitcairn, up from 12 journeys in 2018.
Along with the skies, the waters surrounding the Pitcairn Islands are likewise a few of the world’s most beautiful and comprise the 3rd biggest Marine Protected Location (MPA) worldwide.
For such impressions from the Galaxy individuals go checking out Africa. Integrating it with a Safari and sleeping outdoors in the wilderness.
Getty
Where is the ‘! Ae!Hai Kalahari Heritage Park International Dark Sky Sanctuary’?
Likewise stated a Global Dark Sky Sanctuary this month is! Ae!Hai Kalahari Heritage Park, which belongs to the 38,000- sq km Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park straddling the border in between South Africa and Botswana. This ancestral house of the ǂKhomani San and Mier neighborhoods, it’s likewise house to the proposer of the IDSS accreditation,! Xaus Lodge, the only location with long-term lighting in the whole! Ae!Hai Kalahari Heritage Park.
The South African Huge Observatory (SAAO) is a center of the National Research Study Structure, which runs under the Department of Science and Innovation. The primary telescopes utilized for research study lie at the SAAO observation station 15 Kms from the little Karoo town of Sutherland in the Northern Cape, a 4-hour drive from Cape Town.
Getty
What makes! Ae!Hai Kalahari Heritage Park helpful for stargazing and astronomy?
South Africa’s Northern Cape Province is currently the nation’s premier astro-tourism location. In the! Ae!Hai Kalahari Heritage Park,! Xaus Lodge uses stargazing to its visitors, through telescopes and the naked eye and, naturally, has actually retrofitted all outdoors lights so they are protected and lighting is kept listed below the horizontal.
” Astro-tourism, has actually been determined as a specific development location within the Northern Cape Province, South Africa where the location, environment, and presence of minimal facilities offer a perfect environment for astronomy,” stated Terance Fife, Chairman of the Joint Management Board of the! Ae!Hai Kalahari Heritage Park. Astro-tourism currently exists south of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, particularly around the South Africa Big Telescope (SALT) observatory in Sutherland, and is anticipated to quickly kick-start at closer Carnarvon, thanks to the Square Kilometre Selection (SKA) Radio Telescope.
How dark is a Global Dark Sky Sanctuary?
At the darkest put on Earth, the brightest area of the Galaxy need to cast a shadow on a moon-less night. Determined utilizing a Sky Quality Meter (SQM), the Pitcairn Islands are in between 21.7 and 21.9, while! Xaus Lodge and environments determine approximately 21.6. That runs out22 These are really, really dark locations.
What’s the most recent Worldwide Dark Sky Sanctuary in the United States?
That would be Massacre Rim Wilderness Research Study Location International Dark Sky Sanctuary in Nevada. Just designated an IDSS in March 2019, this 100,000- acre location of northwest Nevada is a large land for hikers, riders, campers, and stargazers, where elevations vary from 5,520 to 6,780 ft. It’s in between the Black Rock Desert-High Rock Canyon Emigrant Routes National Sanctuary (BRNCA) and the Sheldon National Wildlife Haven (SNWR).
Rainbow Bridge National Monolith in Utah, U.S.A. is currently a Global Dark Sky Sanctuary.
Getty
Where are the other International Dark Sky Sanctuaries?
The other 6 Worldwide Dark Sky Sanctuaries (you can discover lots more information here) consist of:
- Aotea/ Great Barrier Island International Dark Sky Sanctuary, New Zealand
- Cosmic Camping Area International Dark Sky Sanctuary, New Mexico, U.S.A.
- Devils River State Natural Location International Dark Sky Sanctuary, Texas, U.S.A.
- Gabriela Mistral International Dark Sky Sanctuary, Elqui Valley, Chile
- Rainbow Bridge National Monolith International Dark Sky Sanctuary, Utah, U.S.A.
- Stewart Island/ Rakiura International Dark Sky Sanctuary, New Zealand
” readability =”140
15863423478″ >
.
Found in between New Zealand and Peru, Pitcairn is deep in the heart of the South Pacific, more than 310 miles from its closest inhabited next-door neighbor.
www.visitpitcairn.pn
.
.
Would you cruise the South Pacific for 2 days and 2 nights to reach the really darkest night skies on earth?
Light contamination is all over, and though together we might bring dark skies back to towns and cities , the current accreditations provided by the International Dark Sky Association just contribute to the list of factors to take a trip to genuinely remote locations.
Invite to the ‘Pitch-Black Bucket-List’. The most recent members, the Pitcairn Islands and South Africa’s! Ae!Hai Kalahari Heritage Park, are both remote International Dark Sky Sanctuaries (IDSS) with remarkable, beautiful dark skies the similarity which couple of individuals have actually experienced.
.
.
The Galaxy as seen from Pitcairn. Mata ki te Rangi is Tahitian for “Eyes to the Sky”.
Rhiannon Adam www.visitpitcairn.pn
.
.
Where is the ‘Mata ki te Rangi International Dark Sky Sanctuary’?
Mata ki te Rangi, Tahitian for “Eyes to the Sky”, is the main name for all 4 islands (Pitcairn, Oeno, Henderson, and Ducie) of the remote Pitcairn Islands, which lie in the deep South Pacific in between New Zealand and Peru. Pitcairn, Oeno, Henderson, and Ducie are all part of the brand-new 520, 000 square mile Mata ki te Rangi International Dark Sky Sanctuary in the South Pacific.
It’s the very first British Abroad Area, and just island group worldwide, to have actually been given IDA Dark Sky Sanctuary status. “It is great to see Pitcairn acknowledged as one of simply 9 Dark Sky Sanctuaries worldwide,” stated Lord Tariq Ahmad of Wimbledon, UK Minister of State for the Abroad Territories. “This will assist make Pitcairn an exceptional location for stargazers, travelers, and researchers worldwide and offer a welcome increase to the regional economy.”
Finest understood for being house to the descendants of the HMS Bounty mutineers , t he bulk of the 45 Pitcairn Islanders are come down from the 9 mutineers and their Polynesian accompaniments who got here on the Bounty in1790
.
.
It takes 2 days cruising to reach Pitcairn.
RSPB
.
.
What makes Mata ki te Rangi helpful for stargazing and astronomy?
Pitcairn’s power supply is turned off in between10 30 pm and 06: 00 am every night, ensuring fantastic stargazing if the skies are clear. Taro Ground, the previous (now unused) radio station, has actually been determined as the very best observing website.
Along with a sold-out journey to see an uncommon overall solar eclipse this July 2 (when totality will pertain to Oeno Island for 2 minutes 51 seconds), Pitcairn Island Tourist is releasing an 18 – night Explorers Trip for 10 individuals in October to check out the brand-new IDSS. The island group’s brand name brand-new ship, the MV Bravo Fan, will provide 21 round-trips yearly in between Mangareva, French Polynesia, and Pitcairn, up from 12 journeys in2018
.
Along with the skies, the waters surrounding the Pitcairn Islands are likewise a few of the world’s most beautiful and comprise the 3rd biggest Marine Protected Location (MPA) worldwide.
.
.
For such impressions from the Galaxy individuals go checking out Africa. Integrating it with a Safari and sleeping outdoors in the wilderness.
Getty
.
.
Where is the’! Ae!Hai Kalahari Heritage Park International Dark Sky Sanctuary’?
Likewise stated a Global Dark Sky Sanctuary this month is! Ae!Hai Kalahari Heritage Park, which belongs to the 38, 000 – sq km Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park straddling the border in between South Africa and Botswana. This ancestral house of the ǂKhomani San and Mier neighborhoods, it’s likewise house to the proposer of the IDSS accreditation,! Xaus Lodge, the only location with long-term lighting in the whole! Ae!Hai Kalahari Heritage Park.
.
.
The South African Huge Observatory (SAAO) is a center of the National Research Study Structure, which runs under the Department of Science and Innovation. The primary telescopes utilized for research study lie at the SAAO observation station 15 Kms from the little Karoo town of Sutherland in the Northern Cape, a 4-hour drive from Cape Town.
Getty
.
.
What makes! Ae!Hai Kalahari Heritage Park helpful for stargazing and astronomy?
South Africa’s Northern Cape Province is currently the nation’s premier astro-tourism location. In the! Ae!Hai Kalahari Heritage Park,! Xaus Lodge uses stargazing to its visitors, through telescopes and the naked eye and, naturally, has actually retrofitted all outdoors lights so they are protected and lighting is kept listed below the horizontal.
“Astro-tourism, has actually been determined as a specific development location within the Northern Cape Province, South Africa where the location, environment, and presence of minimal facilities offer a perfect environment for astronomy,” stated Terance Fife, Chairman of the Joint Management Board of the! Ae!Hai Kalahari Heritage Park. Astro-tourism currently exists south of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, particularly around the South Africa Big Telescope (SALT) observatory in Sutherland, and is anticipated to quickly kick-start at closer Carnarvon, thanks to the Square Kilometre Selection (SKA) Radio Telescope.
How dark is a Global Dark Sky Sanctuary?
At the darkest put on Earth, the brightest area of the Galaxy need to cast a shadow on a moon-less night. Determined utilizing a Sky Quality Meter (SQM), the Pitcairn Islands are in between 21.7 and 21.9, while! Xaus Lodge and environments determine approximately 21.6. That runs out22 These are really, really dark locations.
What’s the most recent Worldwide Dark Sky Sanctuary in the United States?
That would be Massacre Rim Wilderness Research Study Location International Dark Sky Sanctuary in Nevada. Just designated an IDSS in March 2019, this 100, 000 – acre location of northwest Nevada is a large land for hikers, riders, campers, and stargazers, where elevations vary from 5, 520 to 6, 780 ft. It’s in between the Black Rock Desert-High Rock Canyon Emigrant Routes National Sanctuary (BRNCA) and the Sheldon National Wildlife Haven (SNWR).
.
.
Rainbow Bridge National Monolith in Utah, U.S.A. is currently a Global Dark Sky Sanctuary.
Getty
.
.
Where are the other International Dark Sky Sanctuaries?
The other 6 Worldwide Dark Sky Sanctuaries (you can discover lots more information here ) consist of:
.
- Aotea/ Great Barrier Island International Dark Sky Sanctuary, New Zealand
- Cosmic Camping Area International Dark Sky Sanctuary, New Mexico, U.S.A.
- Devils River State Natural Location International Dark Sky Sanctuary, Texas, U.S.A.
- Gabriela Mistral International Dark Sky Sanctuary, Elqui Valley, Chile
- Rainbow Bridge National Monolith International Dark Sky Sanctuary, Utah, U.S.A.
- Stewart Island/ Rakiura International Dark Sky Sanctuary, New Zealand
.
.
