Star Gazing just got easier
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Image courtesy National Botanic Garden of Wales
Coinciding with BBC’s Star Gazing Live week beginning 7th January, The National Botanic Garden of Wales is one of 25 sites to be awarded Dark Sky Discovery Site status – the first UK botanic garden to be recognised in this way.
The Dark Sky Discovery Partnership which is responsible for the awards is seeking to establish a national network identifying the best spots for people to appreciate the night sky in the UK; sites are selected for their low levels of light pollution and good public access.
“Clear skies are an excellent measure of a good environment and this award of Dark Sky status emphasises our credentials as a hub for science, technology, engineering and mathematics activities, as well as confirming the Garden as an excellent venue for a great day out – or, in this case, a great night out!” said The National Botanic Garden’s Director, Dr Rosie Plummer, adding that, “This will add impetus to our ambition of creating a site to house the 20″ Schafer-Maksutov Telescope which was formerly at the Marina Towers on the Swansea seafront.”
The next star-gazing event at the Garden is on Friday February 7, 6.30pm-9pm when visitors will have the opportunity to see the Moon, Jupiter, the Orion Nebula and other cosmic wonders, plus talks and telescope advice clinics in the Great Glasshouse.