| Info | If you are visiting Newton Stewart area, or you live in this area, I will take you out on an adventure that will really spice up your visit; follow me in your car and we will drive off to a dark location in the depths of the forest, where just looking at the sky will make you gasp!
The Milky Way...deep sky objects.....many, many stars (up to 7000 visible to the naked eye)...maybe the International Space Station, if it is due to fly over...plus many other objects!
I will also bring along my portable telescope...a good quality 4inch refractor, showing some stunning views under these truely dark skies!
Viewing Location!
The Galloway Forest Park was the first place in the UK to be awarded the title of Dark Sky Park, and joint 1st in Europe, and 4th in the world. The award was given on 16th November 2009 in the International Year of Astronomy; it is a true boost for astronomy in South West Scotland.
Light pollution is at a minimum in the 300 square miles of the forest park. I know just the places to take you, for optimum viewing, as I was involved in the preparation for the Dark Sky Park bid.
The place that I will choose for us to view from has a darkness that registers at 2 to 3 on the Bortle Scale, the criteria for Gold status, as a Dark Sky Park. |
