What is behind the success of dark skies festival?
Stargazers are preparing to enjoy an annual festival that celebrates the beauty of the night sky.
The Exmoor Dark Skies Festival, an annual celebration of the night sky, is set to take place from October 16th to November 1st, marking its 10th anniversary. This event, held across villages and towns surrounding Exmoor National Park, offers various activities such as walks, talks, and shows, all focused on the dark, clear, night sky.
The festival's success over the past decade is attributed to its celebration of Exmoor's status as a Dark Sky Reserve, a status granted by the International Astronomical Union in 2011. The reserve aims to protect the right of citizens to enjoy the night sky by minimizing light pollution. Festival organizer Julie Colman explained that the two-week event brings together numerous activities, celebrating the skies, wildlife, and wellbeing.
With minimal light pollution, the core of the reserve offers an incredibly dark night sky, enabling visitors to see constellations and the Milky Way clearly. The National Park designed the festival in 2017 to aid local businesses during the end of the tourism season. In Dunster, the Yarn Market Hotel manager, Antony Brunt, noted that the festival has become more popular over recent years, with people increasingly booking special stargazing trips led by local astronomers.
The festival has been attracting visitors from across the UK, providing a welcome boost to local businesses during typically quieter periods.
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