Midwinter festival of astronomy

Orkney is to have a midwinter astronomy festival this year.

Talks and stargazing will take place across the Mainland, from Birsay to Deerness, and in Stronsay and Sanday as well.

The festival will open with a talk in the Town Hall, Kirkwall, on Saturday evening – ‘The Night Sky in December’ – by astronomer Steve Owens.

The idea for the festival emerged from a package of astronomy activities organised by Orkney International Science Festival to mark its 21st year. This began in the spring with talks and workshops by astronomer Steve Owens, from Glasgow, as part of National Science and Engineering Week, with British Science Association support. Then came a highly successful astronomy weekend in North Ronaldsay during the Science Festival in September, funded by the Year of Scotland’s Islands.

The full programme is available here.