Isle of Man is Confirmed The Best Place to Stargaze in British Isles

The Isle of Man is not just a well established base  for the international space and satellite industry. It’s also the best place to stargaze in the British Isles, according to the UK Science and Technology Facilities Council.

The award follows news that the Dark Sky Discovery Network has designated no fewer than 26 “Dark Sky Discovery Sites” across the Island. This is the largest concentration of Dark Skies sites in the British Isles, with many lying in some of the Island’s best beauty and heritage sites such as Cregneash historical village, Rushen Abbey and Peel Castle.

Light pollution means that more than 85 per cent of the British population has never seen a truly dark sky, but with its less dense population and low light levels, it seems the Isle of Man provides the perfect spot for viewing the heavens.

The announcement has received extensive media coverage – including some stunning images – in many of Britain’s leading national newspapers.

With its strong connections to the Island’s space and satellite industry, the Dark Skies recognition has been warmly received by Isle of Man based Cavendish Trust lead Director, a graduate of the International Space University of Strasbourg and a member of the Society of Satellite Professionals International (SSPI.

Howard Parkin FRAS, who runs his own astronomy consultancy company,  AstroManx, and is Chairman of the Isle of Man Astronomical Society, started the bid for Dark Sky Discovery status on the Isle of Man two years ago.  “It’s great news that the Isle of Man now has so many Dark Sky Discovery Sites because they are so rare around the rest of Britain,” he said. “With light levels so low, the night sky on the Isle of Man really will amaze anyone who takes the time to look up, from the novice to the seasoned professional.”