Stargazers in England are in for a treat as several dark skies festivals are set to launch in February in virtual form. These festivals usually take place at national parks, which are among the darkest places in the UK, but cannot operate normally this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Typically, the festivals organize events such as cycling, walking, running, or caving at night, along with stargazing parties to help attendees enhance their astrophotography skills. The first to kick off virtually is the Cumbria Dark Skies Festival, running between 5 and 21 February. This engaging event features talks from astronomers, astrophotographers, authors, filmmakers, lighting and design professionals, performers, poets, and outdoor adventurers.
As England’s first and largest international dark sky park, Northumberland National Park will host its festival from 12 to 21 February. This event, featured on its website, is led by four regional observatories: Battlesteads, Kielder, Stonehaugh, and Twice Brewed. Attendees can look forward to a wide array of virtual events, including fireside chats with Northumberland’s astronomers and night sky guides, as well as livestreams that allow individuals to stargaze from the comfort of their homes and neighborhoods. Additionally, there will be an art masterclass on nightscape photography to inspire children to capture the beauty of dark skies using their mobile phones.
The North York Moors and Yorkshire Dales National Park authorities are collaborating to host their festival from 12 to 28 February. This program, organized alongside Go Stargazing, features prominent astronomers and scientists, providing participants opportunities to watch presentations, join interactive tours, and enjoy live views of the moon. Additional activities may include quizzes, crafts, and baking. This year’s theme focuses on nature at night, highlighting the critical importance of preserving dark skies to benefit our natural world.
The South Downs National Park festival is also scheduled for 12 to 28 February and emphasizes knowledge about constellations, their history and folklore, as well as the nocturnal wildlife that relies on them. Live link-ups to the South Downs Planetarium will offer tours of the night sky, and virtual attendees can witness rangers preparing for an evening of stargazing right in their back gardens.
Further details on the festivals can be found on the website here.
