PUT YOURSELF ON THE MAP... ...with your own bespoke EXMOOR National Park Posters l Based on our popular series of Pocket Guides Only l Two different designs available “ Welcome To Exmoor ” and “ Exmoor’s Dark Skies ” 0! Welcome To Exmoor £2 Di d Yo u K n o w ? 5 things not Find the What is a What is TopTips for Stargazing on Exmoor Ffamousind Dark Sky Reserve? Light Pollution? Stargazing is easy - just go outside on a clear What do you need to Light from the sun takes eight Exmoorthe The term “light pollution” refers to the adverse night and look up.Wherever you are there will be get started? AnExmoorstargazing minutes to reach Exmoor here Dark Sky Reserves are places that have exceptionally something to see. However there are some things that to miss... effect of any artifical light on the environment. It is Your eyes: It’s a really event at Pinkery on planet Earth. Ponies starry skies and have made a commitment to work you can do that will help to make your experience toprotectthem.ExmoorNationalParkAuthority, usually characterised by the orange “sky glow” that good idea to get familiar with Confidence in Europe’s First International Dark Sky Reserve really special. We have put together some simple tips the night sky just using your naked eyes. If you If the sun was the same size as the Devon and Somerset County Councils, landowners, isproducedaboveourtownsandcities.Thisis tohelpyougetthebestoutofyourstargazing. are ready to invest in binoculars or telescopes Exmoor Ponies at businesses, individuals and communities within caused by street lights and glare from lighting that dot on this letter ‘i’, then the Enjoy the Little Ash Combe the countryside then get in touch with your local astronomical Exmoor’s well maintained Footpaths and Bridleways Exmoor National Park is recognised as Inrecognitionofourdarkskiesandthe Exmoor have all worked together to reduce light spills beyond its intended lit area. When to go next nearest star would be offer great opportunities for exploring. You will find club or society for expert advice. space and one of the finest landscapes in the UK. work we are doing to keep them that pollution and are continuing to work together to Weallrelyonartificiallighttoliveourlives,but Stargazing on Exmoor is an all year-round activity, and routes to suit everyone including a range of more ten miles away. views of the badly designed lighting wastes energy, can disrupt any clear night will provide plenty to see. The darker Aredtorch:Your eyes can take up to ten accessible routes. For more information please Its deep valleys, high cliffs, wide open way and help people enjoy them, keep our nights dark and full of stars. wildlife and prevents us from enjoying our night months provide longer nights and the chance for minutes to fully adjust to the dark and enable If you could travel at the speed open moor contact one of the National Park Centres. moorlands and clear streams provide Exmoor National Park was designated skies. Here on Exmoor we are working together to younger astronomers to enjoy some pre-bedtime your “night vision” to allow you the best views Treat yourself Public rights of way are signed from the roadside inspiration and enjoyment to both Europe’s first International Dark Sky of light (186,000 miles per Dunkery Hill make sure that lighting is well designed, efficient and observing. March and April can be particularly good ofthestars.Duringthistimeavoidlookingat from Porlock Hill with the following colours: to a cream locals and visitors.What is less well Reserve in does not affect our wonderful dark skies. months for observing in the UK, and late summer any bright lights.Red lights,such as a rear bike second) it would take 100,000 tea in one of Yellow known is that Exmoor is also an Autumn 2011 and autumn often provide the best chance of seeing a lamp, are much better at preserving your night years to cross our galaxy, the Exmoor’s Public Footpath amazing place to marvel at the bythe shooting star. vision than white lights. Milky Way. walkers only wonders of the night sky and one of International historic villages Before you go: Starcharts: There are many different resources Here on Exmoor you are the few places in England where low Dark Sky Why is it Bad Check the time of sunset, and aim to start available that will show you what you are looking Allerford spinning at around 714 mph levels of light pollution allow us to Association. observing at least an hour and a half later - to at-asthepositionofthestarsandplanetsis Blue for Wildlife? constantly changing with time and location. as the Earth turns. At the experience night skies that have sadly All animals have evolved allow the sky to become properly dark. Listen to one Public Bridleway These include simple star maps, planispheres disappeared from much of the country. same time you are travelling of Exmoor’s walkers without the influence of As beautiful as the moon is - the best time for that allow you to set the date, and even smart horse riders artificial light, and many of seeing the stars is when the moon is not in the phone apps. at 67,000 mph as our planet beautiful cyclists them are nocturnal so they are sky, as moonlight can make it harder to see the orbits the sun. rivers Explore only active during the hours of darkness. dimmer stars. Use the starcharts on the right to get started. A unique landscape of moorland, On Exmoor it is still possible to find They show how the prominent features that you Exmoor’s Purple Birds when migrating and insects such as moths use Even on the clearest night on woodland, valleys and farmland, shaped tranquillity and peace as well as River Exe at Winsford can see in the northern skies above Exmoor will dramatic Restricted Byway the moon and stars to navigate in ways that we do look different throughout the year. Exmoor, the human eye can by people and nature over thousands of rediscover your sense of adventure; to walkers coastline not yet fully understand; artificial light may confuse only see about 3000 stars. There years. Where high cliffs plunge into the catch a glimpse of wild red deer, be horse riders them and make this much harder. And don’t forget that clear nights are often chilly - so Bristol Channel, and cosy pubs and amazed by dark skies full of stars, and How to get around cyclists wrap up warm and bring a hot drink. are an estimated 100,000,000,000 For information, inspiration and ideas to get Foreland Point When insects are attracted to artificial lights it may tearooms offer delicious local produce. explore villages full of character. carriage drivers stars in our galaxy alone! around the National Park without a car, visit change how easy it is for species such as bats to feed www.exploremoor.co.uk which includes an All our wooden signposts are made using timber from onthem.Thisaffectsthenaturalecologicalbalance. The atmosphere on Earth is interactive transport map, timetable links and sustainably managed woodland in Exmoor National Park. Artificial light may also affect animals by disrupting car-free itineraries. Where to stay proportionately thinner than the skin Local accommodation, as well as events listings and The Countryside Code: Stag with Moon their ability to differentiate between the hours of onanapple For up to the minute public transport information attractions, can be found online at www.visit-exmoor.co.uk Be safe - plan ahead and follow any signs mikesherwinphotography.co.uk Startrails day and night leading to birds singing during the Dark skies above Westermill Farm near Exford call Traveline on 0871 200 2233 (BT calls charged at To help keep Exmoor special you can also search for Leave gates and property as you find them David J Rowlatt Photography night under streetlights. byDavidJSouthern Protect plants and animals, and take your 10p per minutes, plus 6p call set up fee, mobile and green accredited accommodation. litter home other providers’ charges vary). For more information on where to stay call 01643 702624. Keep dogs under close control Consider other people Three things to find for beginners. What makes Exmoor special? Chan There are almost limitless stars, planets, An inspiring landscape Treasuring the past ol n constellations, galaxies, meteors and other objects t FORELAND PT e Within its 267 square miles Exmoor National Park The landscape of Exmoor tells the story of how is l r Lynmouth East todiscover-butherearethreeofthemosteasily contains an amazing variety of landscapes that people have lived in, exploited and enjoyed LYNTON B Lynmouth West recognised features to get you started. Valley of Rocks provide inspiration and enjoyment to visitors and Exmoor over the last 8000 years. Burial mounds HIGHVEER PT Lynmouth Countisbury HEDDONS MOUTH Lee Glenthorne residents alike. Large areas of open moorland on high ridges, unique and ancient patterns of Woody Bay Bay i MINEHEAD BLUFF HURLESTONE PT The Moon provide a sense of remoteness, wildness and standing stones, cliff top Roman forts, astonishingly Watersmeet BLACKSTONE i HANGMAN Martinhoe GORE PT Bossington The moon, Earth’s only natural satellite and the PT Trentishoe Ea County Gate Porlock GREENALEIGH PT tranquillity rare in southern Britain, while preserved medieval villages and incredible Combe PT st Lyn River Beach Selworthy Martin Brendon Bay Culbone Beacon second brightest object in our sky after the sun is Bay A39 spectacular coastal views, deep wooded valleys, Victorian industrial engineering are all there to Holdstone Hunters Porlock Bossington North Hill i Down Barbrook* Hillsford Weir Porlock amere384,400kmawayandhasfascinated high sea cliffs and fast flowing streams all combine be explored.