Astronomy park
As an astronomy park or astropark are theme parks that make astronomy tangible in the field. They are usually combined with astronomical observation options (places to set up telescopes, rental equipment), and they are widely connected to observatories or planetariums . Supervised events and training courses are also typically held regularly on the occasion of special astronomical events . Astroparks are also used for building models of the solar systemor other astronomical models are used, which allow the immense astronomical distances to be experienced true to scale (see also planetary path ).
In the context of light pollution , the concept of light protection areas has developed, where astroparks would typically be listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) as DSAG Category 4 Dark Sky Outreach Site (urban / suburban or rural) - although up to today only a few areas are registered as such.
Examples:
- Astropark at the Armagh Planetarium , in Armagh, Northern Ireland.
- Astro Park of Hong Kong Space Museum in Chong Hing Water Sports Center , Hong Kong
- Ingolstadt Astronomy Park
- Il parco delle stelle des Osservatorio astronomico di Loiano , Emilia-Romagna, Bologna
- Cattle Point Urban Star Park , City of Victoria , Canada (DSAG category 4a light protection area with 7 ha)