Expert astro-photographers and amateur astronomers came together at the Hanle Dark Sky Reserve between 29 September to 4 October 2024, for the second Star Party.
- The unique event was organised by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA).
- Hanle and the surrounding region are host to some of the darkest night skies in India. Hence, the Hanle Dark Sky Reserve (HDSR), centred around the Indian Astronomical Observatory, was notified by the Govt. of Ladakh in December 2022.
- HDSR is a science based socio-economic development project, which aims to preserve the darkness of the night sky through various measures to curb light pollution.
- Under an astro-tourism program, local villagers have been provided telescopes and trained to be astro-tourism guides or HDSR Astronomy Ambassadors, thereby earning revenue for the local community.
