North Pennines Stargazing Festival 2024

05 November 2024

The 8^th North Pennines Stargazing Festival has drawn to a close and it’s been a successful week. In total almost 600 people booked onto 24 events across the North Pennines National Landscape. Star camp ran on the first weekend and after an unpromising start the skies cleared in the early hours of Sunday morning and star campers were treated to a few hours of observing before tiredness caught up with them. Daily ‘Star Tips’ on our social media channels helped budding astronomers discover the night skies, alongside tips on looking after our dark skies and what sort of equipment is needed. Events up at Grassholme Observatory introduced dark sky astronomy and stargazing to lots of eager skywatchers and stargazing suppers at High Force Hotel combined fine food with dark sky experiences at High Force Waterfall.

The Dark skies run explored the High Force and Bowlees Geotrail after dark on Wednesday night and the stars even put in a brief appearance this year. Malcolm Green, renowned NE England storyteller, entertained folk on the Stars, stories and nature discoveries event in Baldersdale and over 40 enjoyed stargazing at the Weardale Railway with astronomers from Bishop Auckland Astronomical Society. The new Alston Moor Observatory was launched under a sparklingly clear sky – with stunning views of Saturn’s Rings, the Milky Way and the Pleiades constellation. Lanterns were made at Nenthead Mines and taken on nighttime mine trip. Whilst a pie and pea supper, at The Nenthead Hive, was followed by a fascinating talk from Dr Martin Kitching on distances in space. Aurora hunting in the North Pennines and a family-friendly astronomy session were held up at the North Pennines Observatory at Allenheads Contemporary Arts. All in all a great time was had by all at events in this years North Pennines Stargazing Festival – celebrating the night skies in the darkest mainland National Landscape.