Orion; Dark Sky Hunter

The giant constellation of Orion has been rcecognised throughout millennia as one of the most inspiring sights of the night sky. The ancient Greeks would look at Orion and associate its pattern of stars as that of a hunter, readied to unleash an arrow in to the sky. Nowadays we look towards the constellation and admire its beauty and its retinue of objects studded within the star fields that surround it. Orion has nestled in it the closest star forming region we have; The Orion Nebula, a vast cloud of dust and gas that forms new hot stars, the light from which sculpts this fascinating region, as it glows we explore it.

Weather permitting, using our large aperture telescopes from the stunning dark skies of the Northumberland international Dark sky park we will tonight explore this superb constellation. We will see the Orion nebula visually as well as using our sophisticated cameras so we can all see this stunning object in high resolution.

Then we will zip off to see one of the other objects The Horsehead Nebula, a swirling cloud of dust and gas this time its dark and stunning and a challenge, to see this object you need dark skies and large apertures. We have them both.

Add to this the enthusiasm of our staff and volunteers, and then your night is guaranteed.

Please note: A hot drink will be served at some point during the event and is included in the ticket price.