We are working to protect our dark skies

In the North Wessex Downs almost 15% of our sky is as dark as anywhere in the country.  Darkness at night is an integral part of the landscape and we want to ensure the AONB remains a place ‘‘where a sense of remoteness and tranquillity predominates and where vast night skies can thrill the eye, unaffected by light pollution”.

The Partnership is working to preserve dark skies, primarily through helping everyone play their part in minimising light pollution. Our work includes supporting opportunities for people to learn about and experience the wonders of dark skies, providing advice and guidance for the general public, businesses, and planning and policy makers.

Community Dark Skies Monitoring

Since August 2023, we have been working in partnership with the Blackett Observatory (Marlborough) and the Friends of the Marlborough Telescope to explore and better understand the quality of the National Landscape’s dark skies.

At its heart, this is a citizen science project. Volunteers head out to agreed locations at new moon to take readings using handheld Sky Quality Meters (SQMs) – simple devices that provide a scientific measure of how bright or dark the night sky is above us. Each data point contributes to a growing picture of what the night sky really looks like across the landscape.

While satellite data can map light from above, it doesn’t always reflect what people are seeing on the ground. This work helps bridge that gap, combining mapped data with lived experience. Data collection is supported by a bespoke online portal, developed by volunteers from the Friends of the Marlborough Telescope.

Over time, this information helps us track changes in dark sky quality, highlight the impacts of development, and support efforts to improve lighting practices and protect wildlife affected by artificial light at night (ALAN).

In 2025, the project grew significantly through a renewed focus on community engagement. We have worked with local astronomy groups to introduce handheld SQMs – funding equipment, giving talks, and providing training and guidance. Visits to the Blackett Observatory have helped bring the project to life, further connecting volunteers to the wonders of the night sky.

As the project has developed, it has also helped shape and connect into a wider national approach. In 2026, the UK-wide Campaign for Dark Skies Network was launched, connecting individuals and communities across the country to collect data, share learning and take action to protect dark skies. The network makes it easier for people to get involved while building a more complete picture of light pollution.

Through this ongoing work, we hope to ensure that the simple wonder of looking up at a star-filled sky remains accessible to everyone, while helping to protect the ecosystems that depend on truly dark nights.