Starcraft - Astronomy in Anglo-Saxon England

Often referred to as “The Dark Ages” medieval Europe is rarely considered a hotbed of scientific thought and progress, but in this special event in partnership with Ad Gefrin we will be reexamining this idea.

Monastic scholars such as Bede saw the observation of the sky as a vital tool to measure the passage of time and correctly predict important dates such as Easter, eventually developing a system still in use today. They developed a detailed understanding of the movement of the sky and how to predict astronomical phenomena to inform their calendars.

In this event we will be exploring how and why observers such as Bede took such a keen interest in the night sky. During the evening, we will guide you through the observatory, introducing you to our large aperture telescopes and give you guidance on how to use them. If the skies are clear, we will dive deep into our skies with our instruments and discover objects which are beyond the realms of what the naked eye can see, and which have shaped our understanding of the universe!

Our partners for this event, Ad Gefrin, are an Anglo-Saxon Museum and Whisky Distillery in the heart of Northumberland. They celebrate the unique heritage and ancient hospitality of Northumberland whilst re-awakening the Northumbrian tradition for whisky distilling that has slept for over 200 years. An expert guide from Ad Gefrin will be with us to provide a guided tasting of their signature spirits and liqueur; Tácnbora, Thirlings, and Flýte.

So, join us in learning about and celebrating the Golden Age of Northumberland, and raise a glass to the future! Wæs hæl!