Even with clouds hindering your view, you can still establish a celestial connection without the need for stars
In the heart of Lancashire, the annual Forest of Bowland Dark Skies Festival at the Jeremiah Horrocks Observatory in Preston recently took place, offering stargazers an unforgettable night under the stars.
The event, hosted by the Preston Astronomical Society, emphasized that being an armchair astronomer is accessible to all, and indeed, the event speaker Dermot Gethings, the vice chair of the society, delivered a captivating presentation that enthralled both novice and experienced stargazers alike.
Despite a sheet of cloud blocking most starlight, Jupiter was visible through the telescope, a testament to the power of the large, metal telescope used in the observatory. The night sky, though partially obscured, still shimmered with twinkling dots, even in the face of city life's light pollution.
The highlight of the evening was the passing around of a small chunk of meteorite, estimated to be 4.5 billion years old. With a reddish tinge, a smooth metallic surface, and an irregular shape with random indentations, the meteorite, which had traveled millions of miles to end up in the hands of the people present, was surprisingly heavy for its size.
The author, mesmerized by the starry skies after the evening talk, spent the night in a cosy hut at the Dark-Sky-accredited Bowland Escapes, surrounded by the quiet Forest of Bowland. Even with light pollution, some stars could still be seen and were enough to evoke a sense of connection to the Universe.
For those seeking a more immersive stargazing experience, there are several best dark-sky sites in the UK. Chichester Harbour in West Sussex, home to three designated Dark Sky Discovery Sites, offers fantastic night sky views and is part of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Exmoor National Park, Europe's first Dark Sky Reserve, and the South Downs National Park, an International Dark Sky Reserve, are other prime locations for stargazing.
In addition, within South East England, many recommended sites are available, such as Bignor in West Sussex, Birling Gap in East Sussex, Frogham in Hampshire, and West Ilsley in Oxfordshire. These sites, recognized for their dark skies and accessibility, often accompany local astronomical societies and events that enhance the stargazing experience.
Attending astronomy events such as the Dark Skies Festival can captivate anyone, and with the help of stargazing apps, learning new constellations becomes effortless. Even Dermot Gethings, in his presentation, mentioned that clouds and light pollution are the two greatest enemies of astronomers, but the passion for stargazing remains undimmed.
Live images from the Hubble Space Telescope are accessible to the public, allowing us to explore the universe from the comfort of our homes. However, nothing beats the experience of gazing at the night sky through a telescope, feeling the awe of the cosmos and the connection to the billions of stars that fill the universe.
[1] https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/chichester-harbour/features/chichester-harbour-dark-sky-discovery-sites [2] https://www.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk/things-to-do/dark-skies/dark-sky-discovery-sites/ [3] https://www.darksky.org.uk/find-a-dark-sky-place/ [4] https://www.southdowns.gov.uk/visiting/dark-skies/ [5] https://www.northumberlanddarkskypark.org.uk/
- The Dark Skies Festival at the Jeremiah Horrocks Observatory in Preston encourages everyone to be an armchair astronomer, emphasizing that even from home, one can connect with the universe through the power of technology.
- As we explore the cosmos using live images from the Hubble Space Telescope, it's important to remember that experiencing the night sky through a telescope offers a unique, tangible connection to the stars.
- In the realm of environmental-science and space-and-astronomy, light pollution is a significant concern, dulling the brilliance of the night sky and impeding stargazing events.
- For those seeking a deeper connection with stargazing, the night skies over best dark-sky sites like Chichester Harbour, Exmoor National Park, and the South Downs National Park provide an immersive, unforgettable experience.
- Stargazing is a lifestyle choice that transcends traditional astronomy, inviting us to look up and be amazed by the constellations and astronomy events that fill our ever-expanding universe.
- In the quiet of the Forest of Bowland, despite light pollution, the night sky still shines, presenting us with a glimpse of the infinite and serving as a reminder of the beauty and wonder that surrounds us in both home-and-garden and universe. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]
