The nights are drawing in... so astronomers are heading out into Scottish forests and woodlands to take advantage of the spectacular dark skies the country has to offer and inviting people to take part in the Dark Sky Scotland autumn programme of nationwide astronomy events.

Scotland benefits from some of the darkest skies in western Europe and the forest cover in the Highlands provides an ideal location for stargazing. The Dark Sky Scotland initiative is led by the Royal Observatory Edinburgh Visitor Centre and is the first pan-Scotland programme of public and educational astronomy events.  It takes family astronomy activities as well as training workshops for teachers and tourist related businesses to rural venues across the country.  The project is supported by a range of partners including Forestry Commission Scotland as part of the Commission's 'touchwood' programme of celebratory events to mark Scotland's year of Highland Culture.

The first event will take place in Dunnet Forest, on the north coast of Scotland, on Friday 28 ad Saturday 29 September.

Professor John Brown, Astronomer Royal for Scotland said: "The Autumn equinox on 23 September - when nights start to become longer than the day - marks the beginning of the main star-gazing season.  A Dark Sky Scotland event is a great way to enjoy the long winter nights.  Over the coming months the project has a programme of 11 events planned for families and schools at venues around the country."

Will Menzies of Dunnet Forest Trust said: "We are looking forward to hosting a great weekend of activities.  There will be evening observing sessions for the whole family and during the day the public will be able to participate in hands-on activities including seeing the meteorites, watching a comet being made before their eyes and taking a tour around the night sky inside the inflatable Starlab Planetarium.  It will be great to have scientists and Glasgow Science Centre staff on hand to answer our questions about the Universe."

As well as a full family activity programme, each Dark Sky Scotland event will host parallel training workshops aimed at local outdoor education workers, teachers and tourist operators who want to do something a little different with their groups and take advantage of Scotland's dark skies on their doorstep.

Dave Chalton, Dark Sky Scotland Project Officer said: "Now that it gets dark at 8pm or earlier, everyone can enjoy the night sky just by stepping outside.  The planet Mars will be the highlight of the coming nights - shining brightly in the Eastern sky.  If you have a pair of binoculars even better, just point them at the crescent moon and see the craters jump out at you.  For the keenest observers, there will be a total eclipse of the moon in the early hours of 21 February 2008."

Future events include:

September

• 15th - Geopark Conference, Ullapool
• 28/29th - Dunnet Community Woodland, Caithness

October

• 1st - The Vital Spark Conference, Aviemore
• 5/6th - Tobermory & Aros Park, Isle of Mull
• 10th - Cowalfest, Strachur
• 12/13th - Forest of Ae & Caerlaverock
• 15/16th - Glasgow Science Centre, Glasgow
• 20th - Abriachan Community Woodlands, Loch Ness
• 26/27th - Tweed Valley Forest Festival, Peebles
• 26/27th - Anagach Community Woodlands,Grantown on Spey

November

• 16/17th - Lochaber Forest District, Sunart Woodlands, Strontian
• 23/24th - Cromarty, Black Isle

A full list of Dark Sky Scotland events is available from www.darkskyscotland.org

Notes to Editors:

Dark Sky Scotland is a partnership of the Royal Observatory Edinburgh Visitor Centre, Forestry Commission Scotland, Careers Scotland, Glasgow Science Centre and the Institute of Physics.  Additional funding has been provided by the Scottish Government, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, and the UK Science and Technology Facilities Council.

Media enquiries for Dark Sky Scotland:
Dave Chalton, Dark Sky Scotland Project Officer, Royal Observatory Edinburgh, tel: 0131 668 8343 or email: dsc@roe.ac.uk