An event in Keswick to reveal more stars and to raise awareness about not wasting light and energy will take place next week.
The voluntary lights switch off will take place on Tuesday, April 23, and is co-ordinated by the Friends of the Lake District, as part of its Dark Skies project.
It will start at 8pm in the Lake Road area around Crow and Hope parks.
Cumberland Council’s lighting team will switch off of around 60 lights along The Heads, The Headlines and Elliot Park.
Also joining in is Booths, Keswick Mountain Rescue Team and Theatre by The Lake, which will be turning their outside lighting off. The National Trust will be hosting activities in Crow Park.
Vanessa Metcalfe, tourism manager of Keswick Tourism Association Ltd, said: “We often see fantastic night-time photographs of the Milky Way above Derwentwater or Castlerigg Stone Circle. So we hope there will be a great display on Tuesday night.
£There will be lots of ways for people to enjoy the night sky from Crow Park, including those who are new to star gazing.”
Landscape charity the Friends of the Lake District said light pollution was on the increase. While 62% of Cumbria’s night skies are in the darkest category, and largely free from light pollution, the areas impacted by light pollution are increasing.
Friends of the Lake District’s dark skies officer Jack Ellerby, said: “We have everything crossed for clear skies on Tuesday April 23, having postponed the original event because of bad weather. We know interest in experiencing star-laden night skies is very much on the rise, so we hope lots of people will take part in the event.”
Dark Skies Cumbria partner The National Trust is hosting activities in Crow Park from 8pm onwards.
Bruce Hardy, visitor operations and experience manager, said: “We would like people to come and take in the many benefits of spending time in nature, including experiencing looking up at a clear starlit sky.
“People can join in stargazing, have a go at night time photography, and take part in a stargazing and forest bathing session.”
