What is a dark-sky preserve?
Q: What is a dark-sky preserve?
A: A dark-sky preserve (DSP) is a protected area without light pollution created by humans. These areas are used to help promote astronomy.
Q: How does the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) refer to these preserves?
A: The IDA uses the word reserve instead of park, or preserve with their dark-sky preserves. This is so that people don't confuse International Dark Sky Reserves (IDSR) and International Dark Sky Parks (IDSP).
Q: What program do they use in Canada for making areas dark-sky preserves?
A: In Canada, there is a very strict way to make areas dark-sky preserves based on the work by the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada. The program is based on the amount of light in an area and how much skyglow there is from cities and towns that are close to it.
Q: Is this program unique to Canada?
A: Yes, Canada's program is the only one in the world that makes areas dark-sky preserves.
Q: Are all dark sky reserves outside of Canada official?
A: No, when areas are called dark-sky preserves outside of Canada, they may not be official or real dark or protected reserves.
