Stargazing Events at Rings End Local Nature Reserve – by Lizzie Bannister

PAS run outreach groups & give professional presentations to the public

With our heads spinning with all that, we whizzed off to the designated spot in the Reserve to look at the stars of the show - the real stars. We were taught about red light as opposed to ‘normal’ lights, so got crafty using red paper to cover our torches and ensure our eyes remained accustomed to the dark.

We had lessons on telescopes and other stargazing technology, and were shown the stars and planets by laser pointers as well as through the telescopes. One of my life’s most memorable moments was recognising through a telescope the cute, clean-cut, shining Saturn.

Don’t just enjoy the Reserve in daytime – the nights are fascinating, too!

 

A free photo of Saturn from

https://pixnio.com/space/saturn-planet-of-the-solar-system

So enjoyable and successful was this event, we did it again! However, due to cloudy skies we had to rely on the talk and presentations rather than go outside for the ‘practical’ - which was a shame, because more people had turned up. But they all loved it, and minds were once again blown by the enthusiastic and knowledgeable experts. For the second time, I had laid on star-themed cakes, napkins and reading materials. Naturally, I wore a star-themed outfit and provided the experts with a large Galaxy chocolate bar. And guess what, we are booked again for another carbon copy of this event on 20th November!

 

I really enjoyed running these events, although I was rather stressed at the beginning. It was a great learning experience, both in terms of building my management and event organising skills, and in all the new knowledge I gained about Astronomy and the ‘sciencey’ equipment involved. All the experts we met were passionate about dark skies and valuing them and the countryside which is, after all, made out of stardust (as we all are)!

The first human in space, the Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin, was awestruck at the view of Earth from orbit in 1961, saying: People of the world, let us safeguard and enhance this beauty — not destroy it.

Every cosmonaut and astronaut since has seen the thin blue line of Earth’s atmosphere, shielding it from the vacuum of space. That has often inspired them to become environmentalists determined to protect our planet. For instance, NASA astronaut José Hernández on the Space Shuttle Discovery in 2009, said the experience had turned him into an instant treehugger.

And, in October 2021, ‘Star Trek’ actor William Shatner had a 10-minute space trip on Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin sub-orbital rocket capsule, making him, at 90, the oldest person to go into space. He felt as if he’d had an awakening, inspiring him to communicate as much as possible the jeopardy, the moment you see the vulnerability of everything… This air which is keeping us alive is thinner than your skin. It’s a sliver. It’s immeasurably small when you think in terms of the universe.

Our group is all about getting people outside to enjoy nature and the environment in the Reserve, and these stargazing events really helped with that objective. The Universe is indeed a wonder, and by appreciating it we can see how wonderful and beautiful and fragile Earth is and how much it needs all of us to protect it.

 

Certainly not a black hole: the Friends of Rings End LNR Group at their Christmas meal, which included recognising the Stargazing Event success!

We are always keen to welcome more volunteers to the Friends of Rings End LNR Group. There’s diverse fauna and flora on the Reserve, plus we run loads of great events and are a very friendly bunch. Find out more here:

https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/directory/listings/rings-end-local-nature-reserve &

https://www.facebook.com/groups/292556710888030/

Find out more about the brilliant Peterborough Astronomical Society here: https://www.peterboroughas.co.uk/5041533137/17about.html & https://www.facebook.com/peterboroughastrouk

They hold regular meetings and events, so you too can join them on a magical stargazing event.