Expert astrophotographers and amateur astronomers from across the country participated in the fourth edition of the Hanle Dark Sky Reserve (HDSR) Star Party held from September 7 to 12 at the Indian Astronomical Observatory in Hanle, Ladakh.
The event brought together around 40 amateur astronomers from Chandigarh, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, New Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. The participants travelled to Leh with advanced equipment to observe and photograph the night sky during four nights under Hanle’s dark skies.
The event was organised jointly by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), the Department of Wildlife Protection of UT Ladakh, the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) and the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR).
“The enthusiasm with which amateur astronomers as well as astrophotographers from across the country participated highlighted the event’s role in underlining the importance of preserving its pristine dark skies, both for scientific research and for the public,” said Prof Annapurni Subramaniam, Director of IIA.
The Open Night organised for local communities and tourists on September 10 drew more than 1,200 visitors. Star Party participants, HDSR Astronomy Ambassadors and observatory staff guided visitors through specially designated amateur telescopes and answered questions on astronomy and the night sky. Senior officials from various organisations in the region were also invited to observe through the telescopes and were briefed on the importance of curbing light pollution.
Training sessions were held every evening for the HDSR Astronomy Ambassadors, comprising 25 local villagers who have been trained over the past three years to conduct astronomy tours for tourists. The ambassadors have also been provided telescopes by the Ladakh administration. Expert participants at the Star Party mentored them on practical aspects of night-sky observation and astrophotography.
The Hanle Dark Sky Reserve is known for its exceptionally dark skies, making it a major destination for astrophotographers and amateur astronomers. Notified by the Ladakh administration in December 2022, the reserve is part of an astronomy-based socio-economic development initiative focused on reducing light pollution to support scientific research while promoting astro-tourism and generating benefits for local communities.
The initiative is supported by various stakeholders, including the UT Ladakh administration, and is anchored by the Indian Astronomical Observatory at Hanle. The observatory is operated by the IIA, an autonomous institution under the Department of Science and Technology.
The annual Star Party also highlighted the need to preserve Hanle’s dark skies as new astronomical facilities are planned in the region.
“With the 3.7-m upgraded Himalayan Chandra Telescope and the 13.7-m National Large Optical-infrared Telescope that are proposed to come up in Hanle, it is imperative that we come together to safeguard its dark skies,” said Prof DK Sahu of IIA, Scientist in charge of the Observatory.
