Rare Aurora Spotted in India’s First Dark Sky Reserve in Ladakh

Recent Aurora Event Spotted at Hanle Observatory

The night sky observatories of Hanle and Merak in Ladakh recently witnessed a spectacular and rare event—a bright red aurora. This is an extraordinary occurrence for India, where such phenomena are infrequent. The Hanle observatory successfully captured images of the aurora towards the northern horizon. Unfortunately, the Merak observatory, located near Pangong Tso, faced obstructions from nearby mountains. Here is a detailed analysis of India’s First Dark Sky Reserve in Ladakh, by the UCN Team to give you the key concepts and insights.

This is not the first time Hanle observatory has recorded such an event; another aurora was documented earlier this year on April 23. Auroras are typically seen in polar regions and are rare in equatorial areas like India.

However, intense solar activities can sometimes make them visible farther from the poles. Researchers have forecasted an increase in aurora events in the next couple of years. This increase is due to the 11-year solar cycle, and we are currently in an ascending phase with more solar flares anticipated leading up to the peak in 2025.

Dark Sky Reserve in Ladakh Overview

India’s First Dark Sky Reserve

Introduction

A Dark Sky Reserve is an area with little to no artificial light pollution. These areas are important for stargazers and astronomers because they allow for clear views of the night sky. In order to be designated as a Dark Sky Reserve, an area must meet certain criteria set forth by the International Dark-Sky Association. Some of these criteria include having low levels of light pollution and providing ample public education about the importance of dark skies.

Light pollution is excessive or misdirected artificial light. It is a growing problem because more and more artificial light sources are being created. Light pollution has many negative effects on the environment, animals, and humans. Some of these effects include:

• Disrupting ecosystems
• Causing insomnia
• Affecting human health

Location and Features

India’s first dark sky reserve Hanle has one of the darkest skies in India and recently, an area of radius approx. 22 km around Hanle has been notified by the UT Ladakh as the Hanle Dark Sky Reserve (HDSR). It is situated inside The Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary in Hanle, Ladakh.

• The Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary was established in 1987 and is managed by the Jammu and Kashmir Forest Department.
• At the height of 4,500 metres, Hanle is already home to an optical, gamma ray, and infrared telescope at the IIA-operated Indian Astronomical Observatory complex.
• These telescopes have examined stars, galaxies, exoplanets, and the universe’s expansion.
• Hanle is spotlessly clean during the most of the year’s dry months, stays cloudless at night, and provides dark skies, making it an ideal natural setting for stargazing.

Significance

The Hanle Dark Sky reserve serves the following benifits:

• It will protect the night sky from light pollution in the region. Strict restrictions will govern outdoor lighting and use of high beam lights.
• It will promote astronomy tourism in Ladakh. The dark skies will attract tourists interested in stargazing and astronomy.
• The reserve is a joint effort between the UT government, Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) Leh, and the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA).

Criteria for Reserve

For an area to be designated as a dark sky reserve, it must meet certain criteria:

• There must be minimal light pollution and good protection of dark night skies. Hanle is ideal due to its high altitude, dry climate, and existing infrastructure.
• There must be public education to spread awareness about the importance of dark skies. The reserve aims to involve local communities in protecting the night sky.
• The area should have remoteness and isolation. Hanle’s location ensures minimal disturbance from artificial light sources.
• A dark sky reserve must have a radius of at least 100 square miles around the observation site. The Hanle reserve covers a 22 km radius around the observatory.

Benefits

Having a dark sky reserve provides many benefits:

• It protects nocturnal wildlife that rely on darkness to hunt and navigate. Artificial light can disrupt habitats and behaviours of nocturnal animals.
• It enables astronomical research by providing ideal conditions for stargazing and observations. Telescopes can get clear views without light pollution.
• A dark night sky is an important part of our natural and cultural heritage. Dark sky reserves help preserve this for future generations.

India’s Night Skies

• Ladakh has great potential for dark sky reserves due to its geography and climate. Other potential sites include the Spiti Valley, parts of the Himalayas, and the Thar desert.
• Some of the best places to see the Milky Way in India are:
  • Hanle and Tso Moriri in Ladakh
  • Kaas Plateau in Maharashtra
  • Rann of Kutch in Gujarat
• The darkest places in India with minimal light pollution are:
  • Cold desert areas of Ladakh
  • Remote islands like Andaman and Nicobar
  • High altitude regions like Spiti and Lahaul

Conclusion

From the UCN team’s perspective, the establishment of India’s first-ever Dark Sky Sanctuary in Hanle, Ladakh is a major milestone. Located within the Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary, this reserve will promote astronomy research and astrotourism in the remote region of Ladakh. With its high altitude, dry climate, and existing infrastructure of telescopes, Hanle is the ideal location for such a reserve.

This will not only help in protecting Ladakh’s beautiful night skies from light pollution but also boost scientific research. By meeting the criteria set by the International Dark Sky Association, this reserve puts Ladakh on the global map for its night sky-friendly initiatives. The Dark Sky Reserve will inspire preservation of dark skies across India and raise awareness about light pollution. Most importantly, it opens up an unparalleled opportunity for people to observe the splendour of Ladakh’s night sky first hand.