(updated 2022'11'30)
每當我抬頭仰望星空，便開始覺得地球越來越小，最後只剩下我和腳下的方寸之地。 那一刻，我失去了方向感，神秘的宇宙在我眼前展開。 我有一種回家的感覺，時間回到了最初的時候，那時夜晚完全黑暗，星星在低語著神話，我的想像力從一個星系到另一個星系。
藉著黑暗我找回了自己和宇宙之間的聯繫，我是星塵。我能感覺到我在太空中移動，我徘徊在深邃無邊的時空。
滿天星斗令人感動到熱淚盈眶。
我在黑暗的夜空下找到了內心的平靜，疲憊的靈魂被星夜療癒了。
這就是為什麼我如此熱愛觀星。
1.
Healed by the starry night 被星夜療癒 :
An amazing 10 year journey on Datun Anbu （為了與國外同好交流所以本文第一部份以英文書寫。）
Every time I look up at the starry sky, I feel the earth getting smaller and smaller, until only I and the square inches of ground underfoot are left. In that moment, the mysterious universe unfolds before my eyes.
Let me introduce myself. My name is Chang Sheng Hsien (張勝賢), and I am a seasoned enthusiast in amateur astronomy with more than 20 years of experience. I am a lecturer of the school's astro-club, co-founder of TDA, stargazer, IDA member, electromechanical technician, blogger, and poet writer (you can read my poems here). Gleeman is my nickname.
I was born and raised in Taipei, Taiwan, and have been obsessed with stars and cosmos since childhood.
Carl Sagan "COSMOS" , chinese edition , 1983 Taipei ; my enlightening book of Universe
The parking lot is close to the southwest corner of Lujiaokeng Ecological Conservation Zone（鹿角坑生態保護區）. There are very few lights on the Balaka road (the only road through the Datun mountain ) and there are consummate reflective equipments along the load.
Balaka road
a field research of light sources in Taipei
Milky way above Datun Anbu
3. I had completed the 333 deepsky objects EAA survey and 300 Deepsky Objects' visual observations and sketches on Anbu Parking lot, proving that people can do plentiful stargazing and astronomy in the suburbs of Taipei, with naked eyes or with a small telescope (below 8"). The old urban legend saying "people can't do stargaze on Yangmingshan" is wrong!
4. I have kept conducting some meetings, seminars, small stargazing parties in the astronomy community, including the dark-sky forum, to promote suburban stargazing and the protection of dark sky.
Suburban Stargazing & Amateur Astrophotography Exchange Conference 2020
On my blog and social net i encourage people to enjoy the suburban stargazing , and advocate for the protection of dark places in the suburbs, especially Yangmingshan.
Comet Neowise on the evening sky above Anbu
Perseids party at Anbu
2017 Perseids over Anbu (14 frames stacked)
AiryEye was introducing the nightsky quality monitor station on the Yangmingshan darksky fourm 2019
Unnecessary lighting in Datun mountain. 5 Street lights was installed on entrance of road to the military exclusion zone where almost no people will visit at night .
Unnecessary and unshielded signboard lights in the parking lots on Datun mountain, only the one at Anbu (Bottom Pic.) was turned off.
one crisis of dark-sky over Taipei.
as shown in the picture above, In 2018, high intensity light beams appeared in the nightsky over Yangmingshan, these lights were from a temple just built in Tamsui. Although the temple is located outside the Yangmingshan National Park, but only miles away from Datun mountain.I had written a letter to the office of temple (and wrote to management of Yangmingshan too) suggesting install a timer, turn off the light after 9 or 10 PM . I had not received any reply, but the temple people told the management of Yangmingshan that they would consider it. I found that the lights was already much fainter this year (much fainter than what the picture showed), but I will continue to keep an eye on it.
My stargazing-friends and I went on supporting the great conjunction observing at Yangming hot spring resort
However, the main reason why I enjoy the dark sky is spiritual abundance.
In that moment, l lost the sense of direction and
the mysterious universe was unfolding before my eyes.
the time went back to the beginning when the nights were totally dark , the stars were whispering myths, and my imaginations were traveling from galaxy to galaxy.
guess, what is the object in this sketch Alan had drawn?
I could feel that i was moving in the space .
I was wandering through the deep and boundless spacetime.
My eyes ran over with tears.
I found peace of mind under the dark sky.
"Are the angels above smiling at you in your peaceful rest?" (Welsh lullaby )
My exhausted soul was healed by the starry night.
That's why i am passionate about stargazing.
鞍部是北部地區目前唯一有實際天文觀測紀錄（請參考個人的觀測日誌、素描紀錄 ，有使用的口徑、倍率、濾鏡等參數可利用）以小型望遠鏡（口徑20公分含以下）在同一地點能夠眼視觀察欣賞到包括所有梅西爾天體等超過300個以上的深空天體（星系、星雲、星團等）的市郊觀測地。
當人眼被注視光照後再望向暗空時一開始並無法看到亮度小於 0.03 cd/m² (約等於16.4 mag/arcsec² ，在此之門檻下視椎細胞失效，負責暗視覺的視桿細胞開始作用）的東西，因為完全適應黑暗時間需要約至少二、三十分鐘，（視桿細胞的敏感度能達到10^-5 cd/m²），而若持續有燈光影響則永遠無法達到完全適應黑暗，就此處而言，你將無法體驗到合歡山的銀級星空。
關於適暗性，在 Michael Kalloniatis 與 Charles Luu 的Dark Adaptation 此篇文章中有詳細的解釋。
我們的孩子們正不知不覺地失去了黑夜與星空。這片星空需要你我一起守護。
每當我抬頭仰望星空，便開始覺得地球越來越小，最後只剩下我和腳下的方寸之地。 那一刻，我失去了方向感 ，神秘的宇宙在我眼前展開。 我有一種回家的感覺，時間回到了最初的時候，那時夜晚完全黑暗，星星在低語著神話，我的想像力從一個星系到另一個星系。
藉著黑暗我找回了自己和宇宙之間的聯繫，我是星塵。我能感覺到我在太空中移動，我徘徊在深邃無邊的時空。
滿天星斗令人感動到熱淚盈眶。 我在黑暗的夜空下找到了內心的平靜，疲憊的靈魂被星夜療癒了。
這就是為什麼我會如此熱愛觀星。
(註*1)
a.光污染改善、暗空生態保護（包括生態保護區內照明規範訂制、權責區分）的落實應先於觀星旅遊發展。
b.所有人都有享受星空的權利，專業與業餘天文同好的觀星權益應與一般遊客、旅遊團同樣被重視與保障。
c.劃設暗空保護區存乎一心，並無需土木建設。若需設施改善或空間規劃，應由建築設計、美學設計及天文觀星、生態保育等各領域專家整合進行，並利用設計力引導使不同的使用族群至公共空間中各自適合的區域而不會互相干擾（例如遊客跑動的震動會影響攝影，此外，受光線干擾後眼睛重新建立完全的Dark adaptation 需要至少三十分鐘）。
d. TDA（TDA ≠ IDA Taiwan)應效法IDA 開放任何關心暗空保護之人自由加入一般會員，不應設限僅讓特定人選加入。此外，所謂「暗天不暗地」的主張並不適合於生態保護區與國際暗空公園等場域，高度暗空需求的區域（如天文觀星區、生態保護區）的用光規範應與一般民生照明做區隔。
e.個人已於2022年12月退出TDA.
Equality of the night sky for everyone
The personal observational sketch project at the Anbu region has successfully achieved its goals by this summer(2022). In addition, with continuous documentation and enrichment on the blog, a comprehensive knowledge base and database on suburban stargazing have gradually been developed. This can serve as a reference for friends interested in suburban stargazing. The above is a brief summary of the achievements at the Anbu region over the past decade, serving as a record and commemoration. Stargazing at the Anbu region has been an important part of my life for the past ten years. I'm glad that these ten years have been fulfilling, with no wasted time, and I have also been able to accompany and participate in the growth of my children (we often stargaze together. Of course, in addition to stargazing, we also go on trips and read books together...), which is a kind of happiness. On the other hand, through the experiences and practices during this period, I have developed the idea that the night sky in this area is worth protecting. However, I encountered some difficulties in proposing this to the Yangmingshan National Park Management Office in recent years, as detailed in the article.
Why is the Anbu region of Datun Mountain so important?
When proposing to the Yangmingshan National Park Management Office, I am always asked about the difference between it and other parking lots. Even friends who frequently participate in activities in Yangmingshan rarely notice the rich suburban night sky assets that the Anbu region possesses. Due to the combined advantages of the dark sky, geographical location, and terrain of the Anbu region, it has the following features:
The Anbu region is currently the only suburban observation site in the northern region that has actual astronomical observation records (please refer to my observation log and sketch records). With small telescopes (up to 20 centimeters in aperture), it is possible to visually observe and appreciate over 300 deep sky objects (galaxies, nebulae, star clusters, etc.), including all Messier objects, in the suburban observation site.
Not to mention its convenience of being only a one-hour drive from the city center, and its safety as it is located next to the highway and not in a remote wilderness area. These factors make it a suitable suburban observation base for citizens and astronomy enthusiasts to engage in long-term and stable stargazing projects (observing from the parking lot does not affect the ecological environment, so you can rest assured). In addition, the Anbu section of Balaka road is the only area in the Yangmingshan National Park with no artificial light sources, well-developed ground reflective guidance for safe driving, and wildlife crossing culverts. With a slight improvement in the lighting within the area, it can become a model of a suburban road that combines dark sky and ecological protection.
Therefore, in addition to improving light pollution, I suggest establishing a 24-hour fish-eye and dark-sky quality monitoring station in An-Bu. The data from the station can provide long-term monitoring of light pollution, dark-sky quality, and serve as a resource for education and research through images and data. The real-time or recorded fish-eye images can also be used for special celestial events broadcasting and teaching purposes. Furthermore, stargazing enthusiasts can check the sky conditions on the mountain anytime through the fish-eye images, allowing them to plan their trips accordingly, maximizing the convenience and efficiency of suburban stargazing while reducing unnecessary visits to the national park by star enthusiasts and general tourists during unfavorable weather conditions, which benefits ecological preservation.
Furthermore, the establishment of a 24-hour fisheye monitoring station makes the suburban stargazing environment more friendly, benefiting the development of domestic astronomy and attracting long-term and stable stargazers, which can increase the revenue of the national park and its parking lots.
Considering the above, setting up a 24-hour fisheye and dark sky quality monitoring station at the saddle point is indeed a wise move.
Although the Yangmingshan National Park Management Office allocated a budget for dark sky environment planning and promotion in 2021, which was won by the Taiwan Dark-Sky Association (TDA), I personally declined the association's invitation to serve as a consultant for this project. I did not participate in the bidding process between the TDA and the Yangmingshan management office. My main considerations are as follows: First, my personal concept of dark sky protection (*1) differs from that of the Taiwan Dark-Sky Association (Director Lin). Second, the association has not yet opened membership to non-invitees, and I believe it lacks the participation of the general public and professionals. Third, I have previously suggested improvements to the dark sky environment to the management office of Yangmingshan (as mentioned earlier), but I have not received any commitment from the management office to make improvements. Merely reiterating previous statements without meaningful actions is not satisfactory. I believe that before guaranteeing the implementation of important issues such as improving the dark sky environment in Yangmingshan, establishing lighting usage regulations and management responsibilities within the protected areas, and ensuring the establishment of an authoritative management department, it is not appropriate to accept commissions related to dark sky protection.
I will continue to promote suburban stargazing and protection based on my beliefs. I welcome any questions, sharing, or guidance on topics related to this blog, astronomy, stargazing in Yangmingshan, dark sky protection, etc. Please leave comments on the respective articles or contact me directly via email at Gleeman@icloud.com.
Based on my observations, to date, there has been no promotion, education, or research reports on light pollution's ecological impact or dark sky protection on the official website of Yangmingshan National Park. In my opinion, this seems to highlight the lack of awareness and attention to the ecological impact of light pollution by national parks (not only Yangmingshan) and the long-standing neglect of the valuable suburban starry sky resources and long-term neglect of starry sky protection within the park. I hope that future dark sky protection will not be a mere formality or perfunctory measure but will bring about substantial improvements. Environmental facilities and lighting management should be more friendly to amateur astronomers and stargazers without neglecting or excluding them.
Regarding some thoughts and suggestions about Hehuan Dark Sky Park,
When it comes to neglect or exclusion, I have some thoughts on the current Hehuan Mountain Dark Sky Park as well. I believe that the core of a dark sky park and stargazing platforms should strictly prohibit light pollution. If activities require non-observational lighting, which is necessary for operations, they should be conducted in a location separate from the stargazing environment that does not affect the dark sky park. The stargazing platforms should be reserved for enthusiasts who genuinely want to experience the highest level of dark sky (based on the International Dark-Sky Association's approval criteria) and stargazing. Any light stimulation to the eyes can disrupt dark adaptation—the ability of the eyes to adjust to darkness.
However, the Dark Sky Park has not established lighting regulations within the park (such as guidelines for stargazing and environmental protection) nor a responsible management unit. This has resulted in the inability to restrict visitors from playing with light and shadows on the platform or government agencies from setting up lights and staging concerts that may affect stargazing or amateur astronomy observations. In my opinion, the management unit has the obligation to inform visitors that these activities actually impact their own and others' ability to have a genuine dark sky experience and establish regulations to prohibit them.
Furthermore, there are some issues with the planning and design of the Yenfeng（鳶峰） area in the Hehuan Dark Sky Park. Apart from the unnecessary parking lot that disrupts the dark sky with its lights (already removed), another significant flaw is the failure to separate the areas for amateur astronomy observations, serious stargazers, general tourists, and stargazing tour groups in the facility and pathway design. Instead, different user groups with different needs are gathered on the same stargazing platform, causing interference. In addition to the light-related issues mentioned earlier, the platform's structural design does not consider the stability requirements for astronomical observations and photography. Any running, jumping, or even walking by visitors on the platform can cause vibrations that affect the quality of ongoing observations and photography, disregarding the fair consideration of the interests of different groups in approaching the night sky. Stargazing tourism is meant to allow the general public to get closer to the stars and convey the importance of dark sky protection to humanity and other ecosystems. However, once tourism interests become the sole consideration, the park loses its function in protecting and educating about the dark sky, as well as the principle of fairness that everyone has the right to approach the dark sky. Let us not forget the original intention of dark sky protection and the establishment of international dark sky parks.
We come from stardust, and in the end, we will return to stardust.
In this marvelous and fleeting journey, what do you want to experience and practice? What do you want to leave for future generations? Everything depends on one's heart. The starry sky is an invaluable treasure that requires everyone to protect it.
Every time I look up at the starry sky, I feel that the Earth is getting smaller and only my tiny place remains beneath my feet. In that moment, I lose my sense of direction, and the mysterious universe unfolds before my eyes. I have a feeling of coming home, back to the beginning when the night was completely dark, and the stars whispered myths. My imagination travels from one galaxy to another.
Through the darkness, I rediscover the connection between myself and the universe. I am stardust. I can feel myself moving through space, wandering in the vastness of time and space.
The countless stars move me to tears. Under the dark night sky, I find inner peace, and the tired soul is healed by the starry night.
That is why I love stargazing so much.
(Note 1)
a. The improvement of light pollution and the protection of dark sky ecosystems (including the establishment of lighting regulations within the ecological protection area and the division of responsibilities) should take precedence over the development of stargazing tourism.
b. Everyone has the right to enjoy the stars, and the rights of professional and amateur astronomers should be equally valued and protected alongside general visitors and tourist groups.
c. The establishment of a dark sky protection area does not require civil engineering. If there is a need for facility improvement or spatial planning, it should be done by integrating experts from various fields such as architectural design, aesthetic design, astronomy, and ecological conservation. Design should guide different user groups to suitable areas within public spaces without mutual interference (e.g., vibrations caused by visitors' movements affecting photography). Additionally, the complete reestablishment of dark adaptation, which requires at least thirty minutes, is disrupted by light interference.
d. The TDA (TDA ≠ IDA Taiwan) should follow the example of the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) by allowing anyone concerned about dark sky protection to freely join as a general member, without restricting membership to specific individuals. Furthermore, the assertion of "dark skies without dark ground"（暗天不暗地） is not suitable for areas such as ecological protection zones and international dark sky parks. The lighting regulations for areas with a high demand for dark skies, such as astronomical observation areas and ecological protection zones, should be distinct from general residential lighting.
e. I personally withdrew from the TDA in December 2022.
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