As part of the on-going Sea Cromarty Sparkle winter festival, this weekend is your opportunity to get to grips with some of the mysteries of the night sky. 

Dark Sky Scotland – a team of experts from Edinburgh’s Royal Observatory and Glasgow’s Science Centre – are bringing their astronomy workshops and sessions to the Victoria Hall and Park in Cromarty on Friday 23rd and Saturday 24th November.

There will be two Family Stargazing sessions:  Fri 23rd, 7-8pm and Sat 24th, 6-7.30pm.  These are suitable for the whole family and will consist of learning to use star charts and observing the night sky as well as visiting the spectacular Planetarium Starlab which will be based a short walk away in the West Church Hall.

There is also an Adult Stargazing session on Fri 23rd, 8.30-9.30pm which will follow a similar format but is a little more technical – suitable for those who already have some knowledge or keen interest in astronomy.

Finally, on Sat afternoon between 2.30 and 5pm, there will be the Family Astrofun session, which promises to be a real ‘hands-on’, interactive two and a half hours with telescope handling, rocket-launching, comet-making and much more.  This is suitable again for the whole family (children aged 13 and under must be accompanied by an adult) and is a ‘drop-in’ session so there’s no need to book – just turn up, get stuck in and enjoy discovering astronomy in a fun and educational environment.

Sea Cromarty Sparkle Co-ordinator, Georgia Macleod commented: “We get some amazing night skies here in Cromarty and I’m aware there is a lot of interest locally in finding out more about what’s going on up there.  To be able to bring the expertise of the Dark Sky Scotland team right to our doorstep is a fantastic opportunity not to be missed.  We’re also not going to be dependant on the weather as we have the incredible Starlab Planetarium on hand, should the elements conspire against us!”

Sessions are free but booking is essential for all but the Sat Astrofun – call Georgia on 07968 629612 to reserve your place.

These projects have been generously funded by Highland 2007, Awards for All and HIE.

For more information on the weekend’s events and for all Sea Cromarty Sparkle events, visit:  www.seacromartysparkle.co.uk.

ENDS

For more information:  Georgia Macleod, 01381 600438 / 07968 629612