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You Too Can Enjoy England’s Virtual Dark Skies Festivals From Home

You Too Can Enjoy England’s Virtual Dark Skies Festivals From HomeA number of dark skies festivals are set to take place in England during February and they are being launched in virtual form.

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, stargazers out there are in for a treat. Several dark skies festivals that usually take place at national parks in England will be available in virtual form during February. The national parks concerned are some of the darkest places in the UK and cannot operate as normal this year due to the pandemic. A virtual get-around is the ideal way to enjoy the festivities.

Dark Skies Festivals in England

Usually, the dark skies festivals have organized events, including walking, running, cycling or even caving at night. On top of this, attendees enjoy a stargazing party to expand their astrophotography skills. The virtual festivities offer a work-around to the events.

Cumbria Dark Skies Festival

The first virtual dark skies event is the Cumbria Dark Skies Festival, which takes place between February 5 and 21. This event will include talks from astrophotographers, astronomers, filmmakers, authors, performers, poets, lighting and design professionals and outdoor adventurers.

Northumberland Dark Skies Festival

Northumberland National Park is England’s first and largest, international dark sky park. The festival here is set to take place from February 12 to 21. The dark sky festival will be hosted on the park’s website and will be led by four regional observatories. Kielder, Battlesteads, Twice Brewed and Stonehaugh.

A wide variety of virtual events is planned, including fireside chats with Northumberland’s night sky guides and astronomers. Livestreams will be available to help people stargaze from their own homes and neighborhood. The festival will also include an art master class on nightscape photography in order to encourage children to capture the dark skies on their cellphones.

North York Moors And Yorkshire Dales Dark Skies Festival

Authorities from the North York Moors and Yorkshire Dales National Parks will collaborate on this festival, which is set to run from February 12 to 28. This program is being organized alongside Go Stargazing and features top scientists and astronomers. Participants can enjoy presentations, check out live views of the moon and join interactive tours.

Other festival activities will include quizzes, baking and crafts. The theme for this year’s festival explores nature at night and highlights the importance of preserving dark skies in order to benefit the natural world.

The South Downs National Park festival

Last, but by no means least, the South Downs National Park festival is set to take place from February 12 to 28. This dark sky festival is centered on learning about the constellations, as well as the history and folklore that surround them. It also centers on the nocturnal wildlife that depends on dark skies.

The dark sky festival will offer live link-ups to the South Downs Planetarium, along with tours of the night sky. Virtual attendees will be able to see rangers getting ready for an evening of stargazing in their own back yards.
Find out more about England’s virtual dark skies festivals and how you can participate on the official website here.

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