Many thanks to Dr Lucy Rogers from the Vectis Astronomical Society who sent through this report of the Isle of Wight Star Party that was held recently. Simon went along on the Friday night and saw Saturn for the first time. We also joined the group on the Sunday at the new Battery – report and podcast to follow next week. Ed
About forty five astronomers travelled from as far as Devon and Cambridge to take advantage of the island’s dark skies at the Isle of Wight Star Party.
The event, which was held at Brighstone Holiday Centre, Military Road, Brighstone, between Thursday 6th March and Monday 11th March, 2008, proved very successful.
Despite the worst storms of the winter threatening to topple the telescopes at times, the skies cleared enough to allow some astronomy to take place. A Dark Sky meter was used to officially record just how clear the skies are above the Military Road, and it was confirmed that we do indeed have some of the darkest skies in the south of England.
The location offered almost 180-degree southerly views across the Channel, and many astronomers commented on seeing stars so near the horizon that they are not normally visible from other sites.
There was also an excellent visit to the ex-rocket testing site at the Needles New Battery (Highdown), run by the National Trust, with a talk by a rocketman – one of the men who was involved with the secret rocket testing programme.
The Star Party was run by the island’s Vectis Astronomical Society (VAS) in association with the Southern Area Group of Astronomical Societies (SAGAS).
More information about the Star Party or Astronomy in general visit the VAS website
If you would like to be contacted about other astronomical events happening on the island, please email events(at)vectis-astro.org.uk. [All images courtesy of Dr Lucy Rogers and copyright remains with the photographer]
