It’s time we saw the light of the night skies

A GLANCE at a satellite photograph of Ireland at night shows a huge amount of light around Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick and Belfast. But there are also areas of the country that seem blacked out, which makes them suitable for star-gazing.

Now that we are into the age of “astro-tourists’’, we will be hearing more about the problem of light pollution — excess public lighting which creates a yellow-orange glow in the sky, blotting out night-time views and also affecting birds and other animals that move around after dark.

Recently, south-west Kerry was designated a Dark Sky Reserve and has been credited as an international centre for viewing the stars. In that magnificently scenic part of Ireland, they’re hoping to develop a niche, astro-tourism business. The area is wedged between mountain and sea, which has the effect of keeping out artificial light Many people have been wowed by the magical sight of the Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, recently, from the Inishowen Peninsula, Donegal. There can also be viewing opportunities from other areas, like Mayo and Connemara.