![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IXTAEWYXBJAL5K573M4P5PSEXY.jpg?smart=true&auth=88ceabd7532bfbc3c9c72735aebee0485ff66f1f1066e7cbda979e0537a804d6&width=400&height=225)
The Milky Way above Pic du Midi, a mountainous reserve in France
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/D4BLC46F3ZDJJEULKX623LQFEI.jpg?smart=true&auth=540e59fe5d99fac4643e37280891aae8911741f6db3f05507f01803ca29d41ad&width=400&height=225)
The area around Mount Cook is part of the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve in New Zealand, which restricts light pollution and provides spectacular stargazing opportunities. All photos: Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IK342TGK2VFE5PYTR4MVJMA5ZQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=59141e31af0be97c8d2c80692a6c549f31515dfed0503968b37f16f28a1a60d3&width=400&height=225)
Digital composite image of star trails around Polaris with Stunning vibrant Beautiful landscape image of stream near Llyn Ogwen in Snowdonia with Tryfan. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HSWDO2AFYVF6HNJVE352B44AGA.jpg?smart=true&auth=78c0650ca19c9c0e09dbb6c76ba716276848788c10da0941473fe179962761a0&width=400&height=225)
A meteor shower over the Ramon Crater in the Negev Desert, Israel. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OMC5V36YONGRTJ36B23MAYSWKA.jpg?smart=true&auth=681dc7e8c8f8347d68a69f5aa20dd5ef1a11d6564d0288bfd0be5995a9766c34&width=400&height=225)
Typical camping in Namibia, Africa: on the roof of the offroad vehicle are two tents for four persons. Under a fantastic starry sky with the milky way.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DMX2YIHHMVGEFN4EJAR7HRV6FE.jpg?smart=true&auth=fadd5034484b712856470f8b20f7e1bd8ee75965d35e94b931b15b0358e7f192&width=400&height=225)
A stunning starry sky over the Chisos Mountains in Greater Big Bend International Dark Sky Reserve, Texas
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/D4UEPX24VJGD3I4DBPZELTDHAQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=ab7784f09f6eaa332a84ca3d2bff634b466d777432e3db91e68ce2cc0460422b&width=400&height=225)
The Brecon Beacons in Wales have been a designated dark sky reserve since 2013
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/524SIPZVFNEMTDFEY42NFFY5OQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=29f74c61559aaf352d50f9cd511d795bf44ab9baf4003f985d770ab2e9927bb5&width=400&height=225)
The Milky Way over the South Downs in England
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DJKN37NG6RCLXLVQBIPCCPRSTU.jpg?smart=true&auth=1b1b042ff0b0216db5d61499f68c1e68f06f4b8ab1727ac33d9c4c0a499d863c&width=400&height=225)
Night sky in Exmoor stock photograph including the Milky Way
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IXTAEWYXBJAL5K573M4P5PSEXY.jpg?smart=true&auth=88ceabd7532bfbc3c9c72735aebee0485ff66f1f1066e7cbda979e0537a804d6&width=400&height=225)
The Milky Way above Pic du Midi, a mountainous reserve in France
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/D4BLC46F3ZDJJEULKX623LQFEI.jpg?smart=true&auth=540e59fe5d99fac4643e37280891aae8911741f6db3f05507f01803ca29d41ad&width=400&height=225)
The area around Mount Cook is part of the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve in New Zealand, which restricts light pollution and provides spectacular stargazing opportunities. All photos: Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IK342TGK2VFE5PYTR4MVJMA5ZQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=59141e31af0be97c8d2c80692a6c549f31515dfed0503968b37f16f28a1a60d3&width=400&height=225)
Digital composite image of star trails around Polaris with Stunning vibrant Beautiful landscape image of stream near Llyn Ogwen in Snowdonia with Tryfan. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HSWDO2AFYVF6HNJVE352B44AGA.jpg?smart=true&auth=78c0650ca19c9c0e09dbb6c76ba716276848788c10da0941473fe179962761a0&width=400&height=225)
A meteor shower over the Ramon Crater in the Negev Desert, Israel. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OMC5V36YONGRTJ36B23MAYSWKA.jpg?smart=true&auth=681dc7e8c8f8347d68a69f5aa20dd5ef1a11d6564d0288bfd0be5995a9766c34&width=400&height=225)
Typical camping in Namibia, Africa: on the roof of the offroad vehicle are two tents for four persons. Under a fantastic starry sky with the milky way.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DMX2YIHHMVGEFN4EJAR7HRV6FE.jpg?smart=true&auth=fadd5034484b712856470f8b20f7e1bd8ee75965d35e94b931b15b0358e7f192&width=400&height=225)
A stunning starry sky over the Chisos Mountains in Greater Big Bend International Dark Sky Reserve, Texas
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/D4UEPX24VJGD3I4DBPZELTDHAQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=ab7784f09f6eaa332a84ca3d2bff634b466d777432e3db91e68ce2cc0460422b&width=400&height=225)
The Brecon Beacons in Wales have been a designated dark sky reserve since 2013
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/524SIPZVFNEMTDFEY42NFFY5OQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=29f74c61559aaf352d50f9cd511d795bf44ab9baf4003f985d770ab2e9927bb5&width=400&height=225)
The Milky Way over the South Downs in England
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DJKN37NG6RCLXLVQBIPCCPRSTU.jpg?smart=true&auth=1b1b042ff0b0216db5d61499f68c1e68f06f4b8ab1727ac33d9c4c0a499d863c&width=400&height=225)
Night sky in Exmoor stock photograph including the Milky Way
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IXTAEWYXBJAL5K573M4P5PSEXY.jpg?smart=true&auth=88ceabd7532bfbc3c9c72735aebee0485ff66f1f1066e7cbda979e0537a804d6&width=400&height=225)
The Milky Way above Pic du Midi, a mountainous reserve in France
The battle to save our night skies from the light
Campaigners say darkness has been eroded over the past 100 years, with a negative effect on the planet
![Gillian Duncan](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F736ebb26-e270-44c5-96a2-80452d783888.png?smart=true&auth=6b2c4dc0614f332daaa4e848c41f090496fd16da3ccccaa940132372e6a74710&width=70&height=70)
Gillian Duncan
29 December, 2023
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