A new Dark Skies Festival launches on the Isle of Wight during February half term.
The Isle of Wight has incredible, unique, dark skies along the southwest coast, but only one per cent of land in the south east of England still has a natural ‘Dark Sky’. Come along to the, find out why dark skies are important, and how they help our health and wellbeing.
Becoming a ‘Dark Skies Park’
The festival will be a celebration and promotion of the Isle of Wight’s Dark Skies, supporting the Isle of Wight’s application to become a ‘Dark Skies Park’.
Raising awareness of Dark Skies on the Isle of Wight. Astronomy, nocturnal wildlife and insects, photography, science, art, heritage, and culture will be explored within the festival.
Inspiring minds of all ages
Talks, interactive activities, and installations will engage and inspire young and old. Likeminded organisations, schools, and the IW college, will work together to highlight the Island’s dark skies, the importance of preserving and enhancing them for the health and wellbeing of people and nature.
The Isle of Wight’s Biosphere Reserve status has given way to a renewed appreciation of the Island’s unique environment. It is hoped that this event could be an annual event grown from year to year, establishing the Island as a prime Dark Skies destination.
Support for the festival
New Carnival are a community interest, non-profit making company, NPO Arts Council England funded.
The Dark Skies Festival is funded through the Isle of Wight Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in partnership with New Carnival, as part of AONB’s work with the European Union Interreg Project, connecting Biosphere Reserves across the continent.
Chad Powell, esteemed Island photographer, is sponsoring the event showcasing his stunning dark skies photographs.
Ray: A tiny part of the almost unimaginably large cosmos
Hannah Ray, Director of New Carnival states,
“If you live in a big town or city, it is unlikely you will be able to see the stars or milky way clearly due to urbanisation and the resulting light pollution.
“We are lucky on the Island in that we do still have natural dark skies, we want to celebrate this and raise awareness of the importance of them.
“Looking up at the vastness of the universe helps to ground us, gives us perspective, reminding us that we are a tiny part of the almost unimaginably large cosmos.”
Grogan: Dark skies enhance the lives of nocturnal creatures
Richard Grogan, Lead Officer for the IWAONB added,
“Dark skies are an important feature of the nationally important landscape on the Isle of Wight.
“As much of our wildlife is nocturnal, the lives of many creatures are enhanced by low light levels and this is easily achieved in areas that lack urban influences that cause light pollution.
“In addition, the night sky is a wonderful natural spectacle, and it is important that we encourage access to it and celebrate the night skies of the Isle of Wight.”
What to expect
The festival will have opportunities to stargaze with experts on hand to help identify constellations and planets. Talks from astronomers, cosmologists, and navigators. Feel free to bring your telescope or binoculars!
Information about nocturnal wildlife and nature from the Hampshire IW Wildlife trust, you’ll be able to find out about moths from the Butterfly Conservation organisation. There will be activities and workshops to engage with, photography, arts and craft, relaxation, and creative writing.
Creative responses
Isle of Wight college art students have created large willow sculptures of nocturnal animals and each student will be creating an individual bespoke piece of fine art themed on the Isle of Wight Dark Skies.
Local primary schools and Viva Carnival group will also be making work for display, look out for comets, spaceships, and rockets. Two local artists will be presenting commissioned work exploring the theme. There will be lots to see and do!
Where and when
Look out for a shooting star, and the full event programme, workshops and talks can be pre-booked on our Eventbrite page- all coming soon.
The Isle of Wight Dark Skies Festival takes place at Isle of Wight Pearl, Military Road, Brighstone, PO30 4DD on Friday 17th and Saturday 18th February 2023, between 3-8pm both days.
News shared by Hannah on behalf of New Carnival. Ed
Image: © Chad Powell Photography
