In the midst of a bright Scilly Summer, what do us island-based astronomers long for? Dark skies! True, it takes a while to get magnificently dark over the summer months, but if you’ve ever experienced the jaw-dropping wonder of a pristine Scilly night sky - the Milky Way arcing above and more stars than you could possibly fathom with the naked eye - you’ll understand why we’re already hankering after the earlier darkness of September and October.
- Prof Ian Morison FRSA of the University of Manchester and Jodrell Bank Observatory
Autumn is a beautiful, relaxed time to visit our islands. If you need more incentive to base yourselves on St. Martin’s, our Scilly Dark Skies Week 2023 runs from 30 September to 6 October. By day, explore at leisure or take part in interactive workshops on practical aspects of astronomy; by night, settle back to hear expert speakers from the world of astronomy open up our island universe to you; plus, of course, looking up through the observatory’s powerful telescopes.
Scilly Dark Skies Week this year centres on stories from our night sky: our innate human connection with the universe and our place within it, from what astrophotography can teach us to how our ancestors took meaning from the night sky we look on today.
We will also be joined by Carolyn Kennett, Cornwall-based astronomer, historian and author; and Mark T Holmes, member of the British Astronomical Association, and the person who kick-started our observatory journey.
- Ezzy Pearson, BBC Sky at Night Magazine
Image: Community Observatory St. Martins on Scilly - also known as COSMOS
Scilly Dark Skies Week is for anyone who wants to learn more about our incomparable night sky, from beginners to seasoned observers. Discover why St. Martin’s is one of the best places to observe the night sky in the UK, but, as they say, don’t tell everybody…
Tickets to Scilly Dark Skies Week (30 Sept - 6 Oct) cost £175 per person, which includes access to the full programme of workshops, talks, walks and stargazing, plus welcome drinks and closing night celebration. Tickets can be booked at cosmosscilly@gmail.com. For full information visit cosmosscilly.co.uk/dark-skies-week
If you'd like to attend the festival, a visitor boat will leave St. Mary's Quay as follows (please book tickets to the festival in advance):
Date: Monday 2nd October
Depart: St. Mary’s 6pm
Return: St. Martin’s 10pm
Cost per person: £15 return / £10 one way
A great opportunity to share my enthusiasm for all things space-related with like-minded others who are also fascinated by the night sky. I know how truly dark the night skies of Scilly are, untroubled by any light pollution, allowing an unrivalled view of the stars. - Andrew Norton, FRSA, Professor of Astrophysics Education at the Open University
© Islands' Partnership