Chichester Harbour Dark Sky Discovery Sites
Chichester Harbour has three designated Dark Sky Discovery Sites, which were established in 2017. The sites were all identified as excellent places for stargazing due to their impressive levels of darkness, excellent lines of sight and good accessibility year round.
Dark Sky Discovery Sites are part of a nationwide network of places that provide great views of the night sky and are accessible to everyone.
The 3 Dark Sky Discovery Sites in Chichester Harbour are:
- North of the John Q. Davis footpath in West Itchenor
- Maybush Copse in Chidham
- Eames Farm on Thorney Island
These sites in Chichester Harbour were chosen for their impressive levels of darkness, excellent lines of sight, and good year-round accessibility.
Part of a larger dark sky area: Chichester Harbour is within the South Downs National Park, which is an International Dark Sky Reserve.
Dark Sky Discovery Sites are not the same as International Dark Sky Reserves. International Dark Sky Reserves and Dark Sky Discovery Sites in the UK are two distinct classifications for areas with exceptional stargazing conditions.
Roger Price, the Chairman of the Conservancy, said, “Preserving our dark skies has so many benefits. They are important for many reasons – education and astronomy, for nocturnal animals, astro-tourism and development management.
For humans dark skies are critical as they affect our health and wellbeing with research showing they can help us achieve a good night’s sleep. I thoroughly welcome the new designations and I would like to thank everyone who supported our bids.”
You can find out more about Dark Sky Discovery Sites at www.darkskydiscovery.org.uk.
Dark night skies are vital for the internationally important wildlife of Chichester Harbour
Photo credit Evelyn Symmons
