IZERSKI PARK CIEMNEGO NIEBA I INNE INICJATYWY
IZERA DARK SKY PARK AND OTHER INITIATIVES

Author(s): Tomasz Mrozek, Sylwester Kołomański
Subject(s): Regional Geography, Conference Report
Published by: Wydawnictwa Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego
Keywords: astro-tourism; light pollution; popularization of astronomy
Summary/Abstract: The history of the dark sky areas in Europe began on the 4th November 2009 in Jizerka – a small village situated on the „end of the world” – at the time of the creation of Izerski Dark Sky Park (Pol. Izerski Park Ciemnego Nieba – IPCN). And that was just the beginning. Today, the number of such areas in Europe exceeded ten, and some of these were created by inspiration of IPCN. They all have one common goal – to stop light „flooding” night. Achieving this goal requires public awareness of the effects of light pollution. Dark sky areas are ideal for this task, because observing the beautiful night sky is the starting point for talking about light pollution. However, these areas are not only dark but also they have become a destination for astro-tourists. Izerski Dark Sky Park is a part of the astro-tourism project Astro Izery that combines tourist attraction of Izera Valley and astronomical education under the magnificent starry Izera’ssky. Besides the IPCN, the project consists of a set of simple astronomical instruments (gnomon, sundial), nature trail „model of the solar system” and astronomical events for the public.

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