A unique and colourful guide to the best dark sky spots in and around the British Isles.
This travel guide to the best stargazing spots in the UK begins by introducing the idea of astronomy and why it is such an enticing hobby. It then explores the history behind astronomy, the myths and folklore we associate with the stars, a guide to nocturnal wildlife, information on the issues surrounding light pollution, and practical information on how to stargaze safely and enjoyably.
Including details of over 150 discovery sites, with full profiles of the 16 'Certified Sites' the best places to observe the night sky.
The Dark Skies of Britain and Ireland is the perfect resource for anyone wanting to explore the night sky and some beautiful countryside down here on Earth.
AUTHOR: Tiffany Francis-Baker is a nature writer and illustrator from the South Downs in Hampshire. She has a Masters degree in English: Issues in Modern Culture from University College London, and in 2019 she was a writer-in-residence for Forestry England's centenary project, where she wrote and illustrated a poem about the human connection with forests. She has written and illustrated for a number of national publications, including the Guardian, Harpers Bazaar, Countryfile, BBC Wildlife and Resurgence & Ecologist. She has also appeared on BBC Radio 4 and Channel 4.
By:
Tiffany Francis-Baker
Imprint: Bradt Travel Guides
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions:
Height: 216mm,
Width: 135mm,
Weight: 355g
ISBN: 9781784778354
ISBN 10: 1784778354
Pages: 196
Publication Date: 01 February 2022
Audience:
General/trade
,
ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Unspecified
Introduction PART 1 GENERAL INFORMATION Chapter 1 Background Information A history of stargazing, Understanding our skies Chapter 2 Practical Information Where to go stargazing, Getting started, Astrophotography, Light pollution, Wildlife at night PART 2 DARK SKY PLACES Chapter 3 Certified Sites Moore's Reserve (International Dark Sky Reserve), Bodmin Moor (International Dark Sky Park), Cranborne Chase (International Dark Sky Reserve), Exmoor National Park (International Dark Sky Reserve), Brecon Beacons National Park (International Dark Sky Reserve), Elan Valley Estate (International Dark Sky Park), Snowdonia National Park (International Dark Sky Reserve), Yorkshire Dales National Park (International Dark Sky Reserve), North York Moors National Park (International Dark Sky Reserve), Northumberland National Park and Kielder Water & Forest Park (International Dark Sky Park), Galloway Forest Park (International Dark Sky Park), Moffat (International Dark Sky Community), Tomintoul and Glenlivet - Cairngorms (International Dark Sky Park), Coll (International Dark Sky Community), Davagh Forest Park and Beaghmore Stone Circles (International Dark Sky Park), Mayo Dark Sky Park, Kerry (International Dark Sky Reserve) Chapter 4 Discovery Sites England, Scotland, Wales, Isle of Man, Northern Ireland Appendix 1 What to Spot in the Night Sky Appendix 2 Further Information
Tiffany Francis-Baker is a nature writer and illustrator from the South Downs in Hampshire, with several books to her name. In the course of her work she has watched wild beavers in Devon, hiked through a haunted yew forest in Sussex, listened to migratory birds on an autumn night, stood beneath the Northern Lights in Norway and swam wild under the midnight sun in Finland. For this new Bradt guide she travelled to various Dark Sky sites around the UK and Europe, inspiring her to then seek out the best places in Britain and Ireland to see the night sky. In 2019, she was a writer-in-residence for Forestry England's centenary project, where she wrote and illustrated a poem about the human connection with forests. She has written for a number of national publications, appeared on BBC Radio 4 and Channel 4, and runs a small online business creating illustrated gifts and stationery. Her third book, Dark Skies (Bloomsbury, 2019) was a nature memoir exploring our relationship with the landscape at night.
