The team at Millets have revealed the best places to go stargazing and full moon watching in Wales.
The full study is available here: https://www.millets.co.uk/blog/the-best-outdoor-stargazing-spots
The best places to stargaze in Wales
|
Rank |
Location |
Light pollution level – brightness (mcd/m2) |
Air quality index |
Stargazing score/10 |
|
1 |
Neath |
1.14 |
34 |
9.95 |
|
2 |
Llanelli |
1.12 |
39 |
9.72 |
|
3 |
Merthyr Tydfil |
1.29 |
35 |
8.61 |
|
4 |
Wrexham |
1.49 |
34 |
8.17 |
|
5 |
Barry |
1.56 |
37 |
6.39 |
|
6 |
Bridgend |
1.76 |
31 |
5.94 |
|
6 |
Caerphilly |
1.61 |
35 |
5.94 |
|
8 |
Newport |
2.29 |
31 |
4.17 |
|
9 |
Cardiff |
4.42 |
21 |
3.50 |
|
10 |
Swansea |
1.9 |
46 |
3.28 |
The market town of Neath, located in Neath Port Talbot, is the optimal Welsh location for witnessing astronomical events, thanks to its dark skies and low air quality index (AQI). The town is the second darkest of all locations we looked at, with a 1.14 mcd/m2 brightness, second only to Llanelli. When stargazing, choosing a dark location away from artificial brightness and city lights is ideal for witnessing the stars.
Neath is also among the five Welsh towns and cities with the lowest AQIs. While Cardiff, Bridgend, and Newport have a lower AQI than Neath, darkness significantly impacts stargazing opportunities more than smog and particulate matter in the air.
The study also revealed that
-
Cairngorms is the most popular location according to search interest for witnessing the aurora borealis.
-
Kent is the best county in England for stargazing groups with 13 to join.
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