A STARGAZING festival will celebrate some of the darkest skies in England this autumn.
The North Pennines AONB Partnership has announced that TV presenter and scientist Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock will headline the 2018 North Pennines Stargazing Festival with an event at The Witham, in Barnard Castle, on Saturday, October 20.
Looking at the world of space exploration and bringing her perspective on women in science and engineering, the “science of the moon and the stars” evening promises to be an unmissable event.
As well as fronting The Sky at Night, Dr Aderin-Pocock has appeared in many programmes including Stargazing Live, The Science of Doctor Who and In Orbit: How Satellites Rule Our World.
Dr Aderin-Pocock said: “I’m thrilled to be invited to headline at the 2018 North Pennines Stargazing Festival.
“It’s a fabulous area – officially the darkest mainland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) – and is a brilliant place to experience stargazing in a truly dark place.
“A lot of my work is about looking at the wonders of space and what it can teach us and the festival is all about broadening the appeal of stargazing, space and science to a range of audiences – aims that are close to my heart.”
The 2018 North Pennines Stargazing Festival will offer a packed programme of fun and informative events from October 20 to November 4.
After the success of the inaugural festival last year, the programme has been extended to cover two weeks, spanning the autumn half-term holidays for the counties of Durham, Northumberland and Cumbria.
Highlights of the festival include a chance to camp out under the stars at Doe Park Caravan Site, in Cotherstone, while learning more about the night sky, with star camp veteran and astronomy expert, Richard Darn.
The popular Skywatch events return, once again at Killhope Lead Mining Museum, but adding events at Alston, Nenthead and Stanhope.
Last year’s Skywatch at Killhope attracted more than 250 people, who experienced the sight of the sky clearing to reveal the Milky Way.
Each Skywatch event includes experts in attendance with advanced equipment and friendly advice to help unlock the secrets of the night sky.
The programme is also full of half-term activities, from bottle rocket workshops and a solar system trail, to a Halloween spooky space special.
Discover the entire programme at www.NorthPenninesStarFest.org.uk
TEESDALE’S HIGHLIGHTS
Star camp
Friday, October 19, and Sunday, October 21, at Doe Park Caravan Site, Cotherstone. Pitch fees plus £8.50 per person per night “astronomy charge” . Booking essential Join experienced astronomer Richard Darn and friends for the first ever two-night star camp under the North Pennines sky. Telescopes will be provided, together with expert guidance, talks and solar observing.
Silk painting a constellation
Saturday, October 20, 1.30pm to 3pm, at The Witham, Barnard Castle. Children cost £6 and accompanying adults free. Booking essential Explore the dark skies and stars creatively with artist Gemma McColl. Aimed at 4 to 11 year-olds but all welcome.
The science of the moon and the stars
Saturday, October 20, 7.30pm, at The Witham. Adults £10, under-18s £5, and families £25. Booking essential. Talk by Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock.
Solar system walk and diorama workshop:
Sunday, October 21, 10am to noon, 12.30pm to 2.30pm, and 3pm to 5pm. At Bowlees Visitor Centre. Children £5 (accompanying adults free). Booking essential. Discover the planets on a guided walk to Gibson’s Cave with Astro Joe then make a space-themed diorama. Suitable for ages five-plus.
Solar System Trail
Monday October 22, to Sunday, November 4, 10am to 4.30pm, at Bowlees Visitor Centre. Children 50p. No need to book. Follow the themed outdoor trail to discover the planets. If you unlock the secret word, win a space-themed prize.
In the dark – wild Wednesday
Wednesday, October 24, 10.30am to 12.30pm and 1.30pm to 3.30pm. Bowlees Visitor Centre. Children £3 and accompanying adults free. Booking essential. Discover the creatures that come out after dark. Craft activities and mini-beast walks. Aimed at children aged 4-13.
Searching for life
Tuesday, October 30, 7pm to 10pm. Langdon Beck Hotel, upper Teesdale.
Adults £5, concessions £2 and families £10. Booking essential. Does ET really exist? Is there intelligent life out there and if so, how will we ever get in contact? Join astronomer Richard Darn on a colourful trip through the cosmos to find answers to this timeless conundrum. Followed by stargazing. Perfect for novices and children over eight.
Astrophotography – milky way and waterfalls.
Thursday, November 1, 6.30pm to 8pm and 8.30pm to 10pm. Bowlees Visitor Centre. Adults £25. Booking essential
Join photographer Gary Lintern to learn the basics of astrophotography and
nighttime landscape photography. After a discussion about equipment and techniques, we will head to Low Force. You will need a camera on which you can adjust the focus, shutter speed, aperture, and ISO manually and a tripod.
