Islanders Celebrate Scilly's Dark Skies
Residents and visitors had the opportunity to explore the Islands’ beautiful night skies at the end of October when an astronomer re-visited St Mary’s to help officially launch five newly-designated Dark Sky Discovery Sites on Scilly.
Organised in partnership with the Council of the Isles of Scilly Children's Services team, Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society, Simon Ould, was invited to Scilly as part of ongoing work to inspire children, young people and adults alike to understand Scilly's unique environment.
On Monday 29th October, Simon gave a talk at Carn Thomas Hall highlighting the five newly designated Dark Sky Discovery Sites and why Scilly's skies are some of the darkest to be found anywhere in the British Isles.
Following the talk, some two dozen people joined at the Garrison Playing Field (St Mary's Dark Sky Discovery Site) to enjoy a guided stargazing walk. The group were able to see all four of Jupiter's moons, the beautiful Pleiades clusters, many constellations and even the distant Andromeda Galaxy.
Over the two days, almost 200 children, young people and adults, aged from 6 months to more the 80 years old, visited Carn Thomas Children's Centre to experience first hand the wonders of the Space Odyssey Planetarium.
One local resident commented ''A rare treat. Brilliant effects-so informative''
A local youngster added ''It was awesome inside the Dome, I felt like I was floating in Space''.
Simon later said '' It was fantastic to be invited back to Scilly. To be asked to help launch the Islands' Dark Sky Discovery Sites was a privilege.
The Dark Skies in Scilly are, indeed, very special and I hope the fact that they have been recognised as such will encourage more local residents to take up stargazing and give visitors even more reason to visit these fabulous Islands".
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