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Dark skies

Dark skies

Cannock Chase is a nationally and internationally important landscape, and its relative wildness and tranquillity lies at the heart of its natural beauty. Darkness at night is an integral part of a landscape – 50% of the National Landscape is above us – and this adds to its beauty and sense of remoteness.

As a very small National Landscape, sitting between Stafford, Rugeley, Cannock and Burntwood, our relatively dark skies are significantly affected by light spilling in from the surrounding towns. This has an effect on tranquillity and creates a challenge to deliver its core purpose to conserve and enhance the natural beauty of the protected area. Dark night skies are definitely outstanding, natural and beautiful, and we think they should be conserved and enhanced along with the rest of the Cannock Chase National Landscape.

A starry night sky and the wonder of the Milky Way is one of the most magical sights the countryside can offer, connecting people to an important part of our natural heritage. Sadly, many people don’t get to experience this beauty due to light pollution. As well as reducing our ability to see the stars, light pollution has serious impacts for wildlife, our health, and the health of the planet. It disrupts the natural behaviour of wildlife, can be harmful to human health and wastes energy, at a time when many people are trying to live more sustainably.

Etchinghill night

Etching Hill at night

Human health

Our sleep can be disrupted by too much light at night, and research suggests that night light can increase risks for more serious health problems. Research suggests that exposure to blue light at night is especially harmful.

Wildlife and ecosystems

Plants and animals depend on the daily rhythm of light and dark to govern life-sustaining behaviours such as breeding cycles, food and sleep. Stray artificial light has negative effects on many creatures, including amphibians, birds, mammals, invertebrates, and plants, and as a result affects the sensitive habitats on the Chase. Controlling stray light particularly helps nocturnal animals that are busy at night.

Energy costs and carbon emissions

Poorly-designed or misdirected light, which shines into the sky contributes to ‘sky glow’, the orange haze many of us now see rather than dark skies and the stars. This wastes energy, raising costs unnecessarily and contributing to carbon emissions and global warming. By turning off or dimming down unnecessary lighting, substantial savings can be made by local authorities, businesses and individuals.

The AONB wants to ensure that our skies don’t get any lighter, and that looking up at a starry sky is something we can continue to experience and enjoy.

A Good Lighting Guide

Please find the published report Light Pollution and Dark Skies in the Cannock Chase AONB – A Good Lighting Guide

The purpose of the guide is to raise awareness of dark skies, their social, environmental, and economic benefits, and to demonstrate how simple changes by the way we light our homes, businesses and neighbourhoods can have big impacts. It provides information and advice to individuals, businesses and decision makers interested in reducing and avoiding light pollution so that we keep Cannock
Chase special. 

Together with CPRE, Cannock Chase National Landscape have developed a Dark Skies project to help our community and visitors to:

Better appreciate and enjoy the wonder of dark skies in Cannock Chase
Better understand the effects of light pollution on human well-being, wildlife and sustainability
Encourage everyone to protect and enhance dark skies and reduce light pollution in the area

Star Count 2023 and events in 2024 and 2025

As part of this project, in 2023 we linked up with CPRE’s national Star Count. Inviting local people to join Star Count if you live in or around Cannock Chase. Anyone could take part in the survey and become a “citizen scientist” by choosing a clear night between in  February and counting the number of stars in Orion.How many stars can you see in Orion

 

Its easy to do and does not require a telescope or any other equipment.   You can find out more about Star Count findings on the CPRE website.

The results were used by CPRE to create an interactive map of the nation’s view of the night sky. They also help CPRE and the Cannock Chase National Landscape Partnership in their work to reduce light pollution and keep the night skies above Cannock Chase special.

In 2023, 2024 and 2025 CPRE have organised in conjunction with Cannock Chase National Landscape events for local scouts and guides. Professional astronomers from Keele University’s Observatory have brought their telescopes to allow children to enjoy great views of the night sky. Explaining what can be seen in the night sky, both with and without a telescope, and talk about the importance of reducing light pollution. At the Wolseley Centre, the children did have-a- go activities and a night walk listening out for the different animals finishing with roasting marshmallows on the fire pit.

Photo credit: Bob Mizon