Dark Skies Festival 230923
Responding to an invite from Bannau Brycheiniog National Park the outreach team made our way to the Visitor Centre at Libanus for one of our regular events.
This was only the second time they held this multi-day Festival to celebrate the dark skies of the Park and we had enjoyed it so much last year that no-one needed persuading to come along again.
Solar viewing till we couldn't see the Sun anymore, then one lot of kit packed up with star gazing kit unpacked: hopefully ready for a clear evening.
And as we made our way along the A470 it was blue sky all the way with some cloud but not enough to dampen anyone's enthusiasm.
Stephen, Phill and Greg gave presentations on Mercury, Dr Who and Artemis to good audiences.
We were kept busy with several telescopes doing SAFE solar viewing, good crowds, newbies looking to get started in astronomy and some for specialised advice on astrophotography.
We had the company of a National Park Vice Chairman and he thanked us for our support which I was able to inform him has been over twenty years in length at that Visitor Centre.
It was a long but very enjoyable day and some visitors were with us from just after 10 am until we packed up at 9pm! One boy in particular had been waiting for the event and I hope we helped to encourage him along the way.
We kept going fuelled by a tub of chocolates courtesy of the BAA! Hopefully this event will be held next year, and if so, I'm certain we'll be there. Please see me to join in the fun!
Theresa Cooper
