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Dark Skies
It's official – Galloway Astronomy
Centre is the only amateur astronomy B&B in the UK located under
absolutely dark skies. The Philip's Dark Skies Map of Britain and Ireland
produced in association with the BAA Campaign for Dark Skies the Machars
region of Dumfries & Galloway gives a maximum rating for its dark skies. To quote the text "The map shows
the visibility of stars from all locations in Britain and Ireland; it shows
what is called the naked eye limiting magnitude that is the brightness
of the faintest stars clearly visible to the naked eye. The map takes into
account the effects of elevation and the amount of starlight that is absorbed
and scattered by the atmosphere – so it is not simply a map of light
pollution". The map is scaled into nine coloured
bands (dark red to grey) relating to star magnitude graduation from +3.75 to
+6.00 in steps of 0.25 of a magnitude. The map published in late 2004 is
designed to help astronomers find dark skies, but it is incredibly depressing
how little of England and Wales has areas rated at grey (+6.00). Scotland has
the most pollution free areas. Note: Magnitude measurement operates in reverse - the higher the number the fainter the star. So for the maps range of magnitudes +6.00 stars are 8 times fainter than +3.75. If you want to check out you own area you can buy the map
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