Tag: dark skies
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Quadrantid Meteor Shower Peaks This Week: How to Watch the Best Show of January
Overview: The Quadrantid Meteor Shower Lights Up Winter Skies Each January, observers around the world look forward to the Quadrantid meteor shower, one of the year’s most intense celestial displays. The shower’s peak is brief—often just a few hours—but during that window, skies can erupt with bright streaks that leave a lasting impression. This year,…
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Stargazing in the Lake District: Grizedale Opens Forest Observatory
Introduction: a new beacon for night skies Stargazing in the Lake District has a fresh landmark: a sleek white dome perched above the Grizedale Forest, a stone’s throw from the busy paths that wind through the National Park. The new forest observatory blends cutting-edge astronomy with the rugged beauty of the Lake District, offering a…
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Stargazing in the Lake District: A New Forest Observatory Opens in Grizedale
Grizedale’s Dark Sky Moment The Lake District is famed for its rolling fells, tranquil lakes, and clear, star-filled skies. Last night, that celestial promise felt closer to home as Grizedale Forest unveiled a new forest observatory designed to bring stargazing to walkers, families, and night-sky enthusiasts. Nestled among mature pines, the observatory is a modern…
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Siddharth Patel: A 12-Year-Old Champion of Dark Skies
Meet Siddharth Patel: A Young Advocate for Dark Skies In a world where city lights outshine the night sky, one 12-year-old from London, Ontario, is proving that a dark sky is still within reach. Siddharth Patel earned international recognition for a breathtaking Milky Way photograph snapped far from the glow of urban lights. His win…
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Reflect Orbital’s Night-Sunlight Plan Sparks Astronomers’ Alarm
Overview: A Bold Idea Meets a Storm of Stars and Skepticism A California startup, Reflect Orbital, has proposed a controversial approach to keeping solar farms running after sunset. By deploying mirrors in space to redirect sunlight to Earth on demand, the company aims to extend daytime-level energy production into the night. The concept, if scaled…
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WOW: Laois Back Garden Becomes a Messier Milestone for Local Astro‑Photographer
From Portlaoise to the Cosmos: A Backyard Mission In Portlaoise, a town tucked away in Ireland’s midlands, an aspiring cosmologist is turning a familiar suburban space into a window to the universe. Don Kelly, a Laois-based photographer, has embarked on a bold project: photograph all 110 objects listed in the Messier Catalogue. This is not…
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WOW: Stunning space pics snapped from a Laois back garden as he chases all 110 Messier objects
From a Portlaoise back garden to the Messier catalogue In a quiet suburb of Portlaoise, a science-minded photographer is turning a routine night into a cosmic mission. Don Kelly, a Laois-based astro-photographer, has embarked on a bold project: photograph all 110 Messier objects—galaxies, nebulae, star clusters and supernova remnants—without leaving his back yard. A hobby…
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Sky Matters: Orionid Meteor Shower and Saturn Visibility in October
Skywatching in October: Orionids, Saturn, and a Moon That Plays Along October offers a rich lineup for observers, with the Orionid meteor shower peaking mid-month and opportunities to glimpse the ringed planet Saturn late in the month. Each component—the meteor shower, a late-summerish Moon dip, and Saturn’s steady presence in the night sky—creates easy entry…
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October Orionids Meteor Shower: An Ideal Night Sky Viewing
What are the Orionids? The Orionids meteor shower is a spectacular autumn display formed from debris shed by Halley’s Comet. Each October, tiny grains of space rock ignite the atmosphere as they streak across the sky, creating a curtain of light that enthusiasts—families and curious skywatchers alike—can enjoy from dark, clear locations. When to watch…