The 4th Chinese National Pole Dance Championship held in Tianjin
Chinese navy commandos debut at 2014 RIMPAC
Guangxi impression: scenic countryside
World's largest aquatic insect found in Sichuan
Ceremony volunteers for Youth Olympics make public appearance
A glimpse of female crew of Liaoning aircraft carrier
Stills from "Dad, where are we going?"
Legless man's happy life
Top ten most beautiful islands in China
Aerial view of Hong Kong
LHASA, July 24 -- Ngari Prefecture in southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region plans to have a 2,500-square-km plateau formally recognized for its unobstructed view of the night sky.
Ngari's tourist bureau told Xinhua on Thursday that it has applied to join the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA), a global organization that campaigns against light pollution, in order to build a conservation zone in line with international standards.
The IDA has acknowledged 16 "Dark Sky Parks," public spaces deemed to have exceptional starry skies with mitigated light pollution. If Ngari's application is successful, it will become the first such park in Asia, said Wang Xiaohua with the IDA's China branch.
According to Wang, Ngari has ideal natural conditions for astronomical observation, being located on the underpopulated Qinghai-Tibet Plateau with limited vapors and high air transparency.
The Beijing Observatory has donated six powerful astronomical telescopes and other observation devices to the planned Ngari Night-Sky Conservation Zone, which has also received 5 million yuan (800,000 U.S. dollars) of government funding for construction.
Scientists with the International Astronomical Union selected Ngari last year as a site for building a world-class observatory. Once completed, the observatory, perched at an altitude of 5,100 meters above sea level, will be open to cooperative projects among Asian astronomers.
Zhujiang ambassadors attend lotus lanterns activity
From girly girl to tough special police officer
Children attend gymnastics training in summer
Beautiful sceneries along the special travel route in Xinjiang
Focus on 1st female patrol team in Turpan
Collection of 'China Dream' public-spirited ads
National fitness team members integrate traditional and modern beauty
Moms on their kid’s coming out
Chinese fighters through lens
48 hours after super Typhoon Rammasun
Bikini show held at water park in Xi'an
Lobster vs cat: catch me if you can
Heat waves sweep China
Top 10 most beautiful islands in China
Zhou Xun announces engagement to Archie Gao
Day|Week|Month