China Opens First Dark Sky Reserve for Stargazing

China’s first dark sky reserve has been opened in Tibet for astronomical observation in conditions of limited light pollution.

The reserve, which covers an area of 2,500 km² in the Tibetan prefecture of Ngari, bordering Nepal and India, was jointly organized by the China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation (CBCGDF) and the regional government of Tibet. It aims to limit light pollution for the protection of dark sky sites for educational and tourism development, officials said on Thursday.

Wang Wenyong, the director in charge of legal affairs at the CBCGDF, said at a news briefing that the launch of the preserve is only the first step in protecting the area from light pollution. The reserve will also seek accreditation from the International Dark-Sky Association, a US-based organization devoted to protecting the nighttime environment and dark skies globally.

Ngari is considered to be one of the best sites for astronomical observation on the Earth, due to its high altitude and large number of cloudless days throughout the year.

"If we do not take action now to preserve the area, we risk losing one of the best astronomical sites on earth," Wang added.

The CBCGDF has also signed an agreement with authorities in Tibet's Nagchu prefecture to establish a night sky park with limited lighting facilities and a special area for astronomical observations.