Bargarh: In order to attract visitors, particularly celestial watchers, the authorities of Debrigarh Sanctuary in Odisha’s Bargarh district have launched the initiative of “Star Gazing”. The sanctuary, located near the Hirakud Dam, offers ideal conditions for stargazing due to lack of human habitation and expansive and dark sky free from light pollution. It makes visibility clear and easy identification of stars, constellations and a few planets like Jupiter directly from Debrigarh.
Key celestial features visible from Debrigarh include Sirius, the brightest star in the western sky, and Dhruv Tara (North Star), which indicates true north. Nearby are Saptarshi Mandal (Ursa Major) and other constellations like Ursa Minor, Leo, Libra, and Gemini. “While these stars are visible round the year, Milky Way is visible from Debrigarh only during summer.
Similarly, Mars and Venus are visible during winter. Comets can be seen round the year depending on timings. As vast stretch of sky is visible with Hirakud below, sunset and moon rise is also clearly visible from Debrigarh,” said Anshu Pragyan Das, DFO Hirakud Wildlife Division, Debrigarh Sanctuary.
In order to facilitate the stargazing, soft lights without any reflection towards sky have been put in the whole campus of Debrigarh Ecotourism after 6.30 pm. Previous light arrangements (strong lights) have been completely removed and replaced with star watching campus lighting, he added.
“The sanctuary has installed constructed.