Ladakh: From September 29 to October 4, the serene landscapes of the Hanle Dark Sky Reserve (HDSR) served as a celestial gathering point for expert astro-photographers and amateur astronomers during the second Star Party. Organized by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) in collaboration with the Department of Wildlife Protection of UT Ladakh and the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), the event attracted over 45 astronomy enthusiasts from various parts of India.
Nestled in a region renowned for some of the darkest night skies in India, the Hanle Dark Sky Reserve was officially designated in December 2022. The reserve has since become a major hub for astro-tourism, drawing enthusiasts eager to explore the cosmos. “The Indian Astronomical Observatory operated by IIA hosts professional telescopes from our institute as well as those from other organizations, and many more are expected to be built in the future, since this is the best available astronomical site in the country,” stated Annapurni Subramaniam, Director of IIA. She expressed her delight at how the HDSR project has connected the observatory with local communities, emphasizing the importance of such events in bringing together people who share a passion for the night sky.
The HDSR is not just about preserving the beauty of the night sky; it is also a science-based socio-economic development project. It aims to combat light pollution while promoting astro-tourism, equipping local villagers with telescopes and training them to become HDSR Astronomy Ambassadors, which helps generate revenue for the community.
Hanle’s pristine dark skies and clear atmosphere make it a cherished destination for amateur astronomers in India. Participants selected from over 200 registrants based on their experience came from cities including Bengaluru, Pune, Mumbai, Delhi, Goa, Coimbatore, Ahmedabad, and Hyderabad. They brought their telescopes and cameras to the Indian Astronomical Observatory, undertaking meticulously planned observations despite the region’s biting cold.
To enhance the experience, a list of the “Seven Wonders of the Hanle Dark Sky Reserve Night Sky” was compiled by renowned astro-photographers Ajay and Neelam Talwar from Delhi. Released on September 29 during a workshop on amateur astronomy at the Raman Science Centre in Leh, the list highlights seven celestial objects visible to the naked eye, underscoring Hanle’s unique astronomical offerings. Ajay Talwar remarked, “We compiled this list based on our observations from Hanle over many years. The fact that all of these can be seen with the unaided eye, and require the spectacular skies of Hanle to see them all, will inspire other astronomy enthusiasts who visit here in the future.”
The Star Party also featured participation from established associations such as Jyotirvidya Parisanstha in Pune, Khagol Mandal in Mumbai, and the Association of Amateur Astronomers of Delhi. A variety of lectures and master classes were conducted, including topics on star trails, planetary photography, and astronomy-inspired art.
An open night on October 2 allowed over 450 tourists to engage with the numerous amateur telescopes available at the party, guided by the HDSR Astronomy Ambassadors. According to Niruj Mohan Ramanujam, one of the event organizers from IIA, this initiative helped to demystify the night sky for visitors and deepen their appreciation for astronomy.
The involvement of many local Astronomy Ambassadors in the Star Party provided them with invaluable learning experiences alongside expert astro-photographers. Dorje Angchuk, Engineer-in-charge of the Indian Astronomical Observatory, emphasized the importance of preserving the night sky in the region, noting, “The participation of so many amateur astronomers from various parts of India at this Star Party, who came here at substantial personal expense, is a testament to the significance of the Hanle Dark Sky Reserve.”