LGFC is a Dark Sky Discovery Site

Low Gillerthwaite Field Centre is now an accredited Dark Sky Discovery site, part of the UK Dark Sky Discovery Partnership, and the first in North-West England. This is a network of national, local astronomy and environmental organisations which aims to:

Visit the Dark Sky Discovery Homepage
  • Engage people from diverse backgrounds with the night sky;
  • Encourage positive attitudes towards science and technology;
  • Support the development of dark sky places, awareness and tourism;
  • Develop a national network of dark sky communicators;
  • Create long-lasting organisational partnerships in this area.

"Star Phwoarrs" - see our Newsletter - October 2011

See also recent article in The Ecologist.


The Dark Sky Discovery England funders are:-

Dark Sky Discovery - latest

We are staging the next Dark Sky event this coming weekend 8-10th Feb. Like all the others, the last event proved very popular with many local visitors in addition to those who came from afar. It's pleasing to report they were all rewarded with a stunning night sky.
You can read about our recent (Jan 12) event on this Cockermouth Astronomical Society webpage.

There is also some coverage of our activities in the latest edition of the BBC's Sky at Night magazine.
Our event is also mentioned on this National Parks page.

Representatives from the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) will be back again with their Star lab, an inflatable planetarium which can hold up to forty people. Staged in the unusual setting of our eighteenth century barn, visitors will see a rotating, digital illustration of our universe on the inside of its domed walls and can take the opportunity to ask questions of Alan Brown (STFC), the presenter, about the universe and our place in it.

Chris Darwin and his colleagues from the Cockermouth Astronomical Society will also be in residence to give their highly informative and popular digital presentations in the classroom. In all events, visitors will have the chance to mix freely and ask questions of local, knowledgeable astronomers by a roaring fire with a mug of hot soup. So, should the weather turn foul your visit will be worthwhile visit.

These presentations will start at about 1330hrs and be repeated at approximately ninety minute intervals.

There will also be activities for the younger ones, making up star umbrellas and, subject to weather, turning the meadow in to a model planetarium amongst other things. Any assistance in helping out with these activities will oblige. For more up to date information keep your eye on this web page.

As before Hot drinks, soup and parkin will be provided to help keep out the cold and you are free to use the centre's heated public rooms between outdoor sessions.

To help preserve the tranquility of the valley will visitors please reduce traffic as much as possible by car sharing where you can.

The events are free of charge but voluntary contributions to recover some of our costs will be appreciated

Visitors wishing to stay overnight in our self-catering, hostel accommodation will be welcome and charged at the standard rate. Please visit our bookings page and book ahead with the Warden.
Remember to bring a sleeping bag, provisions, stout footwear and wrap up warm.

We look forward to seeing you.


Stargazing is best done before the moon is full, so here are the next New Moon dates :-
2013 - Jan 11, Feb 10, Mar 11, Apr 10, May 10, June 8, July 8, Aug 6, Sept 5, Oct 5, Nov 3, Dec 3

These dates obtained from www.timeanddate.com

Location

Low Gillerthwaite Field Centre, Ennerdale, Cleator
Cumbria, CA23 3AX

Go to GoogleMaps
  • Tel : 01946 861229
  • Email : warden@lgfc.org.uk
  • Grid Ref : NY139141
  • Latitude : 54.5148 (N)
    Longitude : -3.3313 (W)












Click on image to enlarge it.

Orion from LGFC

View of Orion from LGFC



Star umbrella

Example of a star umbrella



Ennerdale evening

Ennerdale Lake and Angler's Crag on a still, clear evening