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11

Jan 2021

Last Updated: 11/01/2021
Environment
Environment

Yorkshire Dales dark skies festival moves online

by Connor Creaghan

| 11 Jan, 2021
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Scientists will be among the "stellar" line-up of speakers. They will share the latest cosmic discoveries and space developments, including NASA landing on Mars.

ribblehead-viaduct-yorkshire-dales-night-sky3-c-andy-ward
Ribblehead Viaduct in the Yorkshire Dales night sky. Photo: Andy Ward

The Yorkshire Dales has been forced to move its first dark skies festival online since joining the international dark sky list.

With the third national lockdown, it means that people will be unable to travel to Yorkshire for the annual event between February 12 and 28.

Organisers had already been planning some virtual events but will now need to expand that offering because of coronavirus.

It will include a mixture of free and paid for events through webinars and over platforms like zoom.

When the organisers held the first virtual fringe dark skies festival in October they had a "considerable audience." They are hoping for a repeat or even better this time.



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Scientists will be among the "stellar" line-up of speakers. They will share the latest cosmic discoveries and space developments, including NASA landing on Mars.

Astronomers will give people a tour of the night sky before encouraging them to look out on their front doors.

The full moon will appear in the second week of the festival, so experts are planning a live "moonwatch" with an informal questions and answers session.

On other evenings people will be able to watch wildlife and conservation experts as they explain the importance of conserving our night skies.

Photographers will also be on hand to share their top tips for taking great images of the night sky like the picture above.

Helen Dalton, tourism officer for the Yorkshire Dales National Park said:

“We first introduced a small virtual programme of events during last October’s fringe festival and had a considerable audience so we’re confident that a similar format on a larger scale this February will be even more popular particularly as it will help fire people’s imaginations to go outside and view the skies above where they live.”


Emily Watson, visitor development and marketing assistant at the North York Moors National Park added:

“There is something very special about spending time under our night skies which are so pristine more than 2,000 stars can be seen in one go and where a walk or run becomes a thrilling adventure when you venture out into a beautiful landscape after twilight.
“This is why we’re keen to use the virtual festival to help open people’s eyes to the possibilities of experiencing something so awe-inspiring both on their own doorstep and once lockdown restrictions are eased and we can welcome visitors again.”