Dorset CPRE (Campaign to Protect Rural England) is encouraging local people to look up at the stars.

Its annual Star Count takes place from 17-24 February, to record how clear our view is of the night sky. It’s a family-friendly activity that’s quick and easy to do and can help more of us experience and benefit from dark skies. You don’t need a telescope or binoculars, as the CPRE want to hear what you can spot with the naked eye.

Dark night skies are a special quality of the Dorset AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) and contribute to the areas sense of tranquillity and remoteness. The Cranborne Chase AONB (overlapping the boundaries of Wiltshire, Dorset, Hampshire and Somerset) was designated an International Dark Sky Reserve in October 2019. A combination of clear night skies and low levels of light pollution make Dorset one of the best places in the country for stargazing.

A clear view of a star-filled night sky has a hugely beneficial effect on mental health and, like access to other forms of nature, helps reduce stress and increase a sense of peace and wellbeing. Research has even shown that regularly spending time looking at the stars can lower blood pressure and reduce depression. Yet, the night sky, which is a hugely significant part of our natural environment, has no legal protection.

By counting the number of stars they see in the Orion constellation, citizen scientists will help CPRE to create an interactive map of the nation’s view of the night sky. By showing on a map where light pollution is most serious, the CPRE can work with local councils and others to decide what to do about it.

For more information and to sign up for star count 2023 visit www.cpre.org.uk/starcount