The Dark Sky Observatory on the edge of the Galloway Forest Park was officially opened by the First Minister on Friday. Alex Salmond praised the £700,000 facility, which received nearly £100,000 funding from the Scottish government. Read more
A star has been named in honour of Scotland to mark the opening of the first public observatory at the UK's only designated dark sky park. First Minister Alex Salmond was handed a certificate for the "Alba" star, which means Scotland in Gaelic, as he officially opened the Scottish Dark Sky Observatory. Read more
Ed ~ The certificate is worthless
As an international scientific organisation, the IAU dissociates itself entirely from the commercial practice of "selling" fictitious star names or "real estate" on other planets or moons in the Solar System. Accordingly, the IAU maintains no list of the (several competing) enterprises in this business in individual countries of the world. Readers wanting to contact such enterprises despite the explanations given below should search commercial directories in their country of origin. Read more
Public get chance to see the stars at only UK observatory of its kind
A public observatory is being officially opened today at the UK's only designated dark sky park. The Scottish Dark Sky Observatory is at the edge of Galloway Forest Dark Sky Park on Craigengillan estate in Ayrshire. The park, which spans 300 sq m, was awarded its status by the International Dark Sky Association in November 2009 during the International Year of Astronomy. Read more
Dark Sky Observatory work under way in Dalmellington
Work is under way on a Dark Sky Observatory at the Galloway Forest Park in south west Scotland. Enterprise Minister Fergus Ewing took part in the groundbreaking ceremony at Dalmellington in Ayrshire. The new facility, which has received £94,000 in funding from the Scottish government, will be used by schools, colleges and universities. Read more
Galloway Forest Dark Sky Park on Geminid meteor watch
A spectacular meteor display is expected overnight at the UK's first Dark Sky Park in south west Scotland. In clear, dark conditions up to two of the Geminid meteors per minute may be visible, although some will be faint. Read more
Galloway Forest Dark Sky Park could be a major hot spot for stargazers later this week as one of Britain's biggest meteor showers is due to hit the skies. The Perseids meteor shower reaches its peak on the evening of Thursday 12th and the following morning, when over 60 meteors an hour are expected to fill the darkest skies found in the region. Read more
Scotland's Darkest Spot Joins Battle Against Light Pollution Wrecking Our Night Sky It is one of the darkest places in the world a cold and lonely wilderness in the south of Scotland. On a clear night the heart of Galloway Forest Park offers one of Earth's clearest views of the cosmos. Stargazers flock there to gaze at the Milky Way, planets, meteors and asteroids. But spots like it are an endangered species as light pollution obscures the natural beauty of our night skies.