The next event for the Dedham Dark Skies Campaign is the annual Perseids Shooting Stars Party. This will be held at 8pm on August 12th at the Dark Sky Discovery Centre in Thorington Studio, Thorington Street, CO6 4SS.

There will be two talks about meteors and how to photograph them whilst waiting for the skies to darken. This will be the inaugural event at the new Dark Sky Discovery Centre which is a lovely Grade II barn owned by the National Trust. It offers parking, night sky observing and a presentation room along with and exhibition space and workshop.

BOOKING

Please book in advance to give an idea of the number of guests to expect. There is limited room in some areas making booking essential.  Just reply to this email (dedhamvaleastronomy@gmail.com) with the number in your party. Upon receipt detailed directions to get to us will be sent.

COST

This is a FREE event, refreshments are also free, but there is a voluntary donation jar to help cover costs. 

ABOUT THE EVENT

There will be refreshments and facilities available inside and guest can use the west garden for observing the shooting stars. No special equipment is required to watch the spectacle, just a reclining lawn chair.  

If you have binoculars or a telescope that you want to bring along please feel free to do so. The astronomers can provide you with assistance in setting it up and using it. If you have a camera and tripod then you can learn how to image the meteors.

Please note that it will be dark and the ground is a little uneven. You can bring a low powered torch (preferable with a red light) which should be pointed towards the ground at all times.

Although it is the height of summer it can still get chilly during the night time. Saturday’s temperature is predicted to be 13C so wrap up warm.  Even a few minutes sitting in a lawn chair can feel very cold at this temperature.  The ground underfoot is reasonably flat and well drained so normal outdoor footwear is suitable.