WIREDGOV

The pioneering Dark Sky Discovery initiative is all set to help the UK go stargazing crazy when BBC Two’s ‘Stargazing LIVE’ returns to our screens at 8.30pm, Monday 16 January 2012. Led by STFC, and funded by the Big Lottery Fund through Natural England’s Access to Nature scheme,  Dark Sky Discovery partners will be running many of the events coinciding with ‘Stargazing LIVE’ to create a nationwide celebration of the wonders of astronomy.

Last January, up to 40,000 people took part in events and activities linked with the first series of ‘Stargazing LIVE’ – a figure that should be exceeded this year as an even bigger programme of events gives yet more people the chance to get a taste of ‘hands on’ astronomy.

Dark Sky Discovery is working closely with the BBC to inspire thousands of people of all ages and from all walks of life to look to and learn about the night sky at venues such as Portsmouth’s Spinnaker Tower, Oxford Island in Lough Neath and Deri village in South Wales (Tuesday 17 January) and Edinburgh’s Royal Botanic Gardens (Wednesday 18 January). The initiative is a partnership of astronomy and environmental organisations that has identified urban and rural locations where people can take part in stimulating stargazing sessions under expert guidance. 

A range of Stargazing LIVE activities are also being held throughout January to encourage people to sample the fun and excitement of stargazing, with Dark Sky Discovery partners again playing a prominent role. These activities include free public stargazing events at:

• Royal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh on Wednesday 18 January between 4:30pm - 9:30pm.  No experience or equipment is required as local astronomers will be on hand to help you.  Stargazing LIVE Star and Moon guides will be available with lots of top tips on looking up. With activities for the whole family, you can get your hands on the solar system, build a rocket or learn how to photograph the night sky. There will also be tips on how to stargaze using your phone or computer.
  
• STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory in Oxfordshire on Saturday 28 January between 4.00pm - 7.30pm. Organised by Dark Sky South of England, this event will include planetarium shows, suggestions on stargazing activities to try out at home, and advice on how to use a telescope. Professional astronomers will be on hand to answer questions and queries.

For a full list of BBC Stargazing Live events to include Dark Sky Discovery activities, please visit the BBC’s website (link opens in a new window).

Dan Hillier, Project Leader of Dark Sky Discovery, says: “It’s an obvious step for the Dark Sky Discovery initiative to get involved in ‘Stargazing LIVE’ and use this fantastic opportunity to encourage people to head outside, enjoy the night sky and experience just how inspirational stargazing can be.”

The new series of Stargazing LIVE (a co-production with the Open University) will be presented by Professor Brian Cox and comedian Dara Ó Briain and will be broadcast live over three consecutive nights from the University of Manchester’s iconic Jodrell Bank Observatory, which is part-funded by STFC. Jodrell Bank (link opens in a new window) is also hosting Stargazing Live days on Saturday 21 January and Sunday 22 January.

Notes to editors

Launched in October 2011, Dark Sky Discovery is based on the successful Dark Sky Scotland programme which, since 2007, has been enabling thousands of people to enjoy informed, first-hand experiences of astronomy in the company of friends, family and others from their local communities. 12 Dark Sky Discovery Sites have already been unveiled in England, Wales and Scotland - illustrating the range of great local spots that people can use for stargazing and inspiring people of all ages and backgrounds to come together in their local area to enjoy the night sky in a radically new way. For a list of partners and more information on Dark Sky Discovery Sites across the UK, visit the Dark Sky Discovery (link opens in a new window) website.

Jodrell Bank Observatory in Cheshire is part of the University of Manchester’s Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics. For more information, visit the Jodrell Bank website (link opens in a new window).

Prior booking for the free public stargazing event on 28th January at Rutherford Appleton Laboratory is essential. Places can be reserved by calling 01235 445789 or emailing.

View details on all Stargazing LIVE events (link opens in a new window).

Images available

Please contact the press office for more details.

Contacts

• Lucy Stone
  Press Officer
  Tel: 01235 445627
  Mob: 07920 870125
  
• Dan Hillier
  Visitor Centre Manager
  Royal Observatory, Edinburgh
  Tel: 07821 800356
  
• Big Lottery Fund Press Office
  Tel: 020 7211 1888
  
• Emma Lusby
  Natural England Press Team
  Tel: 0300 060 4231
  Mob: 07900 608 073

Further information

Stargazing LIVE

Stargazing LIVE (link opens in a new window) starts on BBC Two at 8.30pm, Monday 16 January; 8pm, Tuesday/Wednesday 17 and 18 January. Each episode will be followed by Stargazing LIVE: Back to Earth, a 30 minute special in which viewers can interact with Brian and Dara live on-air.

BBC Learning has created a free range of new and improved Stargazing LIVE resources including an updated Star and Moon Guide for beginners keen to get started on astronomy basics. This includes resources for schools including a live interactive lesson with Professor Brian Cox on Thursday 19 January at 2pm. 

About Access to Nature

1. Access to Nature has awarded a grant of £176.8k to the Dark Sky Discovery initiative.
   
2. Access to Nature is run by Natural England and is part of the Big Lottery Fund’s Changing Spaces programme launched in November 2005 to help communities enjoy and improve their local environments.
   
3. Natural England manages this £28.75 million Lottery-funded programme on behalf of a consortium of twelve national environmental organisations comprising BTCV, British Waterways, Environment Agency, Forestry Commission, Greenspace, Groundwork UK, Land Restoration Trust, The National Trust, Natural England, RSPB, the Wildlife Trusts and the Woodland Trust.
   
4. Through this programme, it is Natural England’s ambition to create opportunities for people from all backgrounds to have greater access to our natural environment and bring a lasting change to their awareness and understanding as well as improved links to the natural world, which many of us can take for granted.
   
5. Access to Nature closed to applications in May 2010 but further information about the programme (link opens in a new window) is available.
   
6. The Big Lottery Fund is the largest of the National Lottery good cause distributors and has been rolling out grants to health, education, environment and charitable causes across the UK since its inception in June 2004. For further information about the Big Lottery Fund, its programmes and awards visit the Big Lottery Fund (link opens in a new window).