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Home , North York Moors

DARK SKY DISCOVERY

Looking South These stars change throughout the year, but you should see variously, Orion the hunter, Gemini (two stick-figures), Sirius, the Pleiades or Seven Sisters, the Summer Triangle, Cygnus the swan (and if you're very lucky, our galaxy, the Milky Way down which it flies), the square of Pegasus, and if you follow the curve of the handle of the Plough, Arcturus.

SOUTH

DARK SSKYS S DISCOVERYDARK SKY DISCOVERY Looking South TheseLooking stars change South throughout the year, but you should see variously, What do you need TheseOrion thestars hunter, change Gemini throughout (two stick-figures), the year, but Sirius,you should the Pleiades see variously, or Seven Looking south: These stars change throughout the year. OrionSisters, the the hunter, Summer Gemini Triangle, (two Cygnus stick-figures), the swan Sirius, (and the if you're Pleiades very or lucky, Seven to get started? our galaxy, the Milky Way down which it flies), the square of Pegasus, and LookSisters, for theOrion Summer the hunter,Triangle, Gemini Cygnus the, Sirius swan, (andthe Summerif you're very lucky, Your eyes! But be patient as they do need to adjust to the darkness. ourif you galaxy, follow the the Milky curve Way of thedown handle which of itthe flies), Plough, the square Arcturus. of Pegasus, and Triangle or even our galaxy, the Milky Way. Use a red-light torch to preserve night vision. You’ll be amazed how if you follow the curve of the handle of the Plough, Arcturus. much more you can see after 20 minutes. SOUTH Stargazing SOUTH Binoculars can be useful but you can see a lot with the naked eye. If S S S you’re ready to purchase a pair, look for 7 or 10x50mm. You’ll be able to S S S see brighter galaxies, sparkling star clusters and colourful double stars. in the North Moors S S S National Park Wrap up warm, bring a hot drink, sit back and enjoy the show.

The changing night sky

As the seasons change so does our view of the night sky and we see di erent constellations as the year passes. During the night, stars and S S S planets also seem to move from east to west. The starriest nights are S S S when there is no moon - look out for new moon phases. S S S The sky never gets truly dark during mid-summer, so the best time to stargaze is from mid-August through to early May.

Spring look for planets Summer August’s Perseid meteor shower S S S Find out more S S S S S S For details of stargazing events and festivals, Autumn plus more tips and apps to download, go to: Milky Way and Winter October’s Orionids Star clusters, northyorkmoors.org.uk/darkskies meteor shower constellations and December’s Geminids www.darkskydiscovery.org.uk meteor shower

Milky Way and meteor shower above Where can you go to see the stars? Find somewhere local to you that is away from: Cover photo: Milky Way above Young Ralph’s Cross © Andy Dawson Photography Picture Credits: Steve Bowden, Classlane Media, Russ Norman Photography tall buildings and trees S S S bright lights S SNational ParksS Dark Skies leaflet v3.indd 2-4 11/11/2016 15:07 Try your local park or playing fields, or see our nationwide list of Dark Sky Discovery Sites. www.darkskydiscovery.org.uk

Based on an original design by Forestry Commission Scotland, updated by Media Services, Royal Observatory, Edinburgh Duncan S Smith Credit: Photo

Where can you go to see the stars? WhereFind somewhere can you local go to to you see that the is away stars? from: Find somewhere local totall you buildings that is away and from: trees tall buildingsbright and lights trees

Try your local park or playingbright fields, lightsor see our nationwide list of Dark Sky Discovery Sites. Try your local parkwww.darkskydiscovery.org.uk or playing fields, or see our nationwide list of Dark Sky Discovery Sites. www.darkskydiscovery.org.uk

Based on an original design by Forestry Commission Scotland, updated by Media Services, Royal Observatory, Edinburgh Duncan S Smith Credit: Photo

Based on an original design by Forestry Commission Scotland, updated by Media Services, Royal Observatory, Edinburgh Duncan S Smith Credit: Photo DARK SKY DISCOVERYDARK SKY DISCOVERY STARGAZING GUIDE AnSTARGAZING easy guide to help you navigate your GUIDE Anway easy around guide the to sky help at younight navigate your way around the sky at night www.darkskydiscovery.org.uk www.darkskydiscovery.org.uk How to use your Starchart HoldHow the starchartto use up inyour front of Starchartyou when you're Holdfacing the the starchart appropriate up in direction front of youand whenlook at you're the sky! LookingfacingDARK the appropriate North SKY direction and look at the sky! TheLooking Plough is North the most easily recognised group of stars in the northern Thesky.DISCOVERY ItPlough is always is the above most the easily horizon, recognised it looks group a bit likeof stars a saucepan, in the northern and the sky.two Itstars is always furthest above from the the horizon, 'handle' it end looks point a bit towards like a saucepan, the North and Star, the sotwo you stars can furthest always fromfind north.the 'handle' end point towards the North Star, so you can always find north. OnSTARGAZING the other side of Polaris is the W-shape GUIDEof Cassiopeia. The stars in the OnnorthernAn easythe other guide sky areside to thehelp of Polarissame you navigateall is yearthe W-shape round, your so of you Cassiopeia. will always The be stars able in to the find northernthemway around on asky clear the are night.sky the at same night all year round, so you will always be able to find them on a clear night. www.darkskydiscovery.org.ukNORTH HowNORTH to use your Starchart StargazingHold the starchart up guide in front of you when you're facing the appropriate direction and look at the sky! When the sun sets in the North York Great places to see stars AnLooking easy guide North to help you navigate your way around the sky at night. LookingThe Plough north: is the The most Plough easily recognised is the most group easily of starsrecognised in the northern group of Moors, another breathtaking view There are three Dark Sky Discovery Sites around the National stars.sky. LookingIt is always a abovebit like the a saucepan,horizon, it looks it’s always a bit like above a saucepan, the horizon. and the The Park, all rated “Milky Way” class by the UK Dark Sky Discovery twotwo stars stars furthest furthest from the the 'handle' ‘handle’ end end point point towards towards the North the North Star, Star emerges – a sky full of stars! partnership because of their pristine starry skies. These locations S S S (Polaris),so you canso youalways can find always north.  nd north. On the other side of Polaris is are open to the public, provide parking and other facilities, and are Star trails above Dalby Forest S S S The low levels of light pollution and dark skies of the National Park the W-shape of Cassiopeia. accessible to everyone. Look out for stargazing events at these Sites are one of the things that make it such a special place. On the other side of Polaris is the W-shape of Cassiopeia. The stars in the and at other dark locations too. Thenorthern stars in sky the are northern the same skyall year are round,the same so you all willyear always round, be soable you’ll to find alwaysthem onbe aable clear to night.  nd them on a clear night.

What can I see? NORTH

The glow from streetlights, retail parks and factories in towns and cities means you’ll be lucky to spot more than a handful of stars. Come to the and you’re in one of the darkest places in England.

WHITBY You’ll be able to glimpse as many as 2,000 stars on a clear night The Moors together with other wonders like the Milky Way, planets and meteor National Park 3 P Centre showers (shooting stars). Magni cent views of the Northern Lights S S S can be enjoyed, especially on the coast looking over the . Robin Hood’s Bay S S S 4 YHA Boggle Hole S S S

Ravenscar 5 NORTH YORK MOORS NATIONAL PARK It’s great for nocturnal wildlife too, including owls and moths! SCARBOROUGH Dalby Forest Observatories 2 P Sutton Bank Terrace National Park Northern Lights at Jackson’s Bay Centre 6 1 P PICKERING S S S Thornton le Dale S S S S S S To York © Crown copyright and database rights 2016 Ordnance Survey 100021930

Dark Sky Discovery sites Other stargazing locations

1 Sutton Bank National Park Centre (YO7 2EH) 4 YHA Boggle Hole (YO22 4UQ)

2 Dalby Forest Observatories (YO18 7LT) 5 Ravenscar

3 The Moors National Park Centre, 6 (YO62 5LJ) Danby (YO21 2NB) (open for speci c events only)

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National Parks Dark Skies leaflet v3.indd 6-8 11/11/2016 15:07

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