Recently, the Dafeng Wild Deer Marshland in Yancheng City of east China's Jiangsu Province became a new "member" of the world list of dark sky protected areas, according to the IUCN.

The marshland locates near the Dafeng Milu National Nature Reserve. It is famous for good environment and starry sky from where the M31 Star Cluster is clearly visible at night.

Dark sky protected areas are those with very good dark sky conditions, globally selected by international organizations like the IUCN. Many such areas, from where the starry sky could previously be observed, are getting increasingly ruined by light pollution. Experts indicate that the protection of these areas is vital for thousands of flora and fauna, especially the nocturnal ones.

(Cover image via VCG.)

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