The night sky will always be a place of wonder – gazing up at the stars gives some hope and others peace. One thing is for sure is that the star-studded skies are a thing of beauty. National Parks are some of the best places to take in the stars at night, and the Dark Skies Festival is the best opportunity to do just that. Unfortunately, we can’t be there in person due to lockdown, but the North York Moors and the Yorkshire Dales are taking part in the unmissable virtual event this winter. We’re celebrating the national parks’ sixth Dark Skies Festival.
You can discover, learn or just enjoy the dark night sky by taking a part in the event next month. The North York Moors and Yorkshire Dales are officially protected as Dark Skies Reserves by the International Dark Sky Association, since this year – which means they are the perfect places to learn about the stars. As we can’t visit, Yorkshire’s pristine night sky will be available for you to have a chance to look up at the night sky from your own living room.
Organised alongside Go Stargazing, the programme includes a stellar line-up of top astronomers and scientists. You can watch presentations, join interactive tours and check out live views of the moon. There are also fun quizzes, activities, crafts and baking to get involved with – perfect if you’re trying to keep the young ones occupied during lockdown.
This year’s theme explores Nature at Night, highlighting the importance of preserving dark skies to benefit our natural world. So you will have access to live wildlife cameras throughout the Festival that will give you an insight into the nocturnal activity of some incredible species. The festival will be from 12 February to 28 February 2021, this year with a virtual twist.
If this has piqued your interest, you can find out more information by visiting the website here. You can also visit the North York Moors website and the Yorkshire Dales.
Read More: 8 Reasons Why The Yorkshire Dales Is One Of The Most Beautiful Places In The World
Feature Image Credit: Mindaugas Vitkus on Unsplash
