Mims Davies MP celebrates South Downs National Park’s Dark Skies Season launching
The ‘glimmers’ of the starry night sky that make us feel happy will be one of the highlights as the National Park launches its exciting Dark Skies season.
As the nights draw in and nocturnal wildlife emerges earlier in the evening, the National Park is encouraging people to embrace the darkness and discover the incredible International Dark Sky Reserve on their doorstep.
This year’s theme is “glimmers” – those micro-moments of joy that make us feel happy and inspired – which many people often experience when immersed under a blanket of stars, walking under the glow of the moon or admiring nature.
The ever-popular astrophotography competition returns, with the National Park offering prizes of £100 for breathtaking images of the night sky. The Dark Skies season will begin with a guided night walk and star party at Alice Holt Forest on 30 October (booking required on Eventbrite).
The bioluminescence of glowworms and biofluorescence of other life will also be celebrated as part of the season, with the flagship event being the ever-popular Dark Skies Festival, taking place from 13 to 23 February next year. There will be a bumper line-up of events and activities for all the family to enjoy. The full programme for the Festival will be unveiled in January and people will be able to enter the astrophotography competition from 4th November.
This year photographers have the chance of winning up to £100 for a breathtaking image in one of the following categories:
- South Downs Dark Skyscapes – Can you capture a dramatic star-studded photograph of the landscape showing the cosmos above it? Pictures could include the aurora borealis as we’re currently near the peak of the 11-year solar cycle, with high solar activity giving an increased chance of seeing the Northern Lights. The current peak is expected to last until mid-2025, according to the Royal Astronomical Society.
- South Downs Life at Night – Can you capture an amazing shot of life at night in the National Park? This could include wildlife, heritage, towns, villages, people stargazing, trees, plants or fungi!
- Magnificent Moon – Can you capture an amazing image of the moon above the South Downs landscape? Images of the moon should be alongside the landscape, buildings, towns, villages, cultural heritage or people in the South Downs.
- Mobile phone category – This category is wide open and we just want your best shot of the Dark Skies on your mobile! It could be a snap of the moon or a picture of your family on a night-time walk. Let your creative spirit free!
The runner-up prize in each category will be £50 and all submitted images must be taken within the South Downs National Park.
The deadline for entries to the competition is midnight on Wednesday, 15 January 2025.
For all details about the Dark Skies Season and to enter the astrophotography competition head to www.southdowns.gov.uk/dark-night-skies/dark-skies-festival/
Mims Davies MP said:
There are some truly breath taking photos taken showing our amazing National Park and I'd love to encourage residents of East Grinstead, Uckfield and the villages to enter the Dark Skies competition - with this year's theme - glimmers.
You don't need to be a professional photographer, just someone with a keen eye and passion to go outside and take photos of the beautiful dark skies - there's even a category where they're looking for your best shot of the Dark Skies on your mobile!
The categories are - South Downs Dark Skyscapes, South Downs Life at Night, Magnificent Moon and Mobile phone category.
1st prize is £100 and the runner-up prize in each category is £50 - all photos must be taken within the South Downs National Park and the deadline is midnight on Wednesday 15th January, 2025.
Very best of luck to everyone taking part and I can't wait to see your photos!"
Photo Credits:
Aurora Borealis At Cissbury Ring by Michael Steven Harris
A sky full of stars in South Downs National Park by Lorcan Taylor-Hood
Cowdray Cosmos by Richard Murray
Heather and Milky Way by Carl Gough low res
