‘Continuous as the stars that shine and twinkle on the Milky Way…’ wrote Wordsworth, describing the daffodils he came upon by the shores of Ullswater. But how many of us can relate to this image today? Scientists estimate that less than half of us ever see the Milky Way, our home galaxy, from the UK’s increasingly light-polluted skies. Between 1993 and 2000, the land area of England blighted by severe light pollution grew by 17%. In the same period, rural areas with truly dark skies shrank by 27%. The amount of man-made light shining aimlessly upwards into the night sky from each square kilometre of landscape increased by 24%.

Why does it matter that we are destroying our view of the night sky? By doing so we obscure the beauty and immensity of the universe that we are a part of. We say goodbye to long summer evenings when the stars came out slowly in a clear sky and to dazzling winter nights when the stars glittered above the snow. Much of the matter from which our bodies are made was created in different ways by the stars. All the oxygen we breathe and the iron in our blood was born in giant star explosions known as supernovae. We really are ‘starstuff’!

Our view of the night sky need not be lost forever. Thoughtful planning, turning off energy-wasting lights and using light fittings that direct light downwards, confining it to where it is needed, make an enormous difference. When light is used more efficiently, less power is needed and bills are reduced. Everyone - and the environment - benefits.

The remoter parts of the Kent Downs offer some of the better areas locally from which to observe the night sky, especially during the autumn and winter months.
As the Earth moves round the sun in its year-long orbit, different star backgrounds come into view in the night sky. The procession of the constellations reflects the passage of the seasons. In ancient times, the rising and setting of prominent stars and constellations heralded times of sowing or harvest.

Begin by identifying some of the main star groups. Monthly astronomy magazines, obtainable off-the-shelf, show where to find the constellations and the brighter planets. As the stars of summer begin to recede and autumn sets in, the beautiful star-cluster known as the Pleiades rises above the V-shaped head of the constellation Taurus in the eastern evening sky. Start looking for the Pleiades around 8pm in late October. How many stars can you count? Binoculars reveal dozens of faint stars that the unaided eye cannot see.

During August, the planet Mars was closer to the Earth than at any time for 60,000 years. Swinging away from us now, Mars is still visible, glowing a fiery red, low in the southern sky. Throughout the winter, the magnificent constellation of Orion the Hunter dominates the southern sky, followed by Sirius, the brightest star of all. On a clear night, you may be able to see that the middle ‘star’ of Orion’s sword appears fuzzy. Binoculars show it as a hazy glow. This is the Great Nebula in Orion, a vast cloud of gas and dust in which new stars are being born.

There are some dos and don’ts that will make your observing more enjoyable. Wear plenty of warm clothing and take a snack and a warm drink. Park thoughtfully and don’t trespass. Observe the usual rules for personal safety: don’t wander about on your own – it’s more fun to observe together in any case. Plan in advance what you are going to look for. Take a while for your eyes to become dark-adapted – you’ll see much more after 20 minutes or so. Use a torch with red paper over it to read star charts – red light won’t interfere with your night vision.

If you want to take your observing further and learn more, why not join one of the local astronomical societies? The South East Kent Astronomical Society and Mid-Kent Astronomical Society cover the area of the AONB and are open to members of all levels of experience from beginner to expert. Both societies hold free public observing sessions. There are always big telescopes to look through and you’ll receive a warm welcome!

JOHN EVANS

Further information

South Kent Astronomical Society: 01227 265503

Mid Kent Astronomical Society: 01634 305043
Website: www.mkas-site.co.uk

British Astronomical Association Campaign for Dark Skies: www.dark-skies.org