Northumberland is a beautiful county, but of course we also have the opportunity to gaze at the beauty of the night skies when it is dark as well. In Northumberland we are lucky to have very low levels of light pollution. We have the most ‘pristine dark skies’ in England according to the Council for the protection of Rural England Night Blight Report from 2016. This makes Northumberland one of the best places in the country to go stargazing.
Indeed, the whole of Northumberland National Park and most of Kielder Water & Forest Park became England’s first International Dark Sky Park in 2013, thanks to its pristine dark skies and a joint commitment to conserve them. This is said to be a “designation awarded by the International Dark Sky Association, which is committed to tackling light pollution”.
You can see thousands of stars, on a clear night in the Dark Skies Park including the Milky Way and even the Andromeda Galaxy which is all of 2.5 million light years away!
And you can do all that with the naked eye and every night, there is something special to experience. The Dark Skies park can take you on a journey to the far reaches of the universe.
It is also noted that “families, amateur astronomers and anyone curious about the mysteries of the universe are being invited to an evening of discovery at one of Northumberland’s darkest and most spectacular nature reserves later this month”.
Special event at Hauxley Nature Reserve
Meanwhile, Hauxley Nature reserve, near to Druridge Bay, will be the site for a special event hosted by Northumberland Astronomical Society (NASTRO) on Saturday 26 September.
The event which runs from 7pm to 9pm, will be what is described as “an immersive event”, led by Dr Adrian Jannetta FRAS. It will combine the chance to observe the night sky through powerful telescopes with a fascinating talk on astronomy.
The evening will start with visitors in the classroom at Hauxley’s Wildlife Discovery Centre learning more about the sky, before they head outside to see the wonderful nightscape of stars alongside members of the NASTRO team.
Guests will also have the opportunity to explore the wonders of the universe for themselves as they use the reserve’s observatory telescope.
It is not usually possible to visit Hauxley Nature Reserve after dark, as the site is normally closed to the public during the evening, so this will be a rare opportunity for visitors.
It is also noted by Northumberland Wildlife Trust that “thanks to its remote location and exceptionally low levels of light pollution, Hauxley is regarded as an ideal stargazing spot”.
In the past, visitors have been treated to breathtaking views of Jupiter, the Milky Way and even on occasions shooting stars. If really lucky, visitors may also be able to spot some of the bats who live at Hauxley coming out after sunset, if the weather allows it.
Community Events Coordinator at Northumberland Wildlife Trust, Frances Smiles commented:
“This really is a great evening and the opportunity for everybody to try the telescopes for themselves and realise that planet Earth is just one tiny dot in the universe.
“The NASTRO events are always very popular so secure your place now to avoid disappointment.”
“The event promises an exciting blend of science, nature and exploration, giving visitors the chance to experience both the wildlife and night skies of Northumberland in a unique setting.
“For astronomy enthusiasts and families alike, it is an opportunity to discover just how strange, vast and fascinating space can be.”
Further details available here .
