Carrshield Skywatch

Join us for a journey from the start to the end of time – at this atmospheric venue in the West Allen Valley. Your host for the event is a local astronomer, astrophotographer and science communicator – Andy Gray.

After we have settled in, Andy Gray will talk about how telescopes have changed our view of the universe and humanity’s position within it – ‘From Lippershey to the James Webb Telescope’. Our ability to see into space and into the past has changed our view of our place from being at the centre to be almost insignificant and possibly even alone in the vastness.

We will look at how this happened from the first telescopes, looking at visible light, up to the most recent telescopes, which can observe and image at almost all the wavelengths of light. This has enabled us to learn a great deal about how stars and galaxies form, grow and die. We will be able to see how the universe looked just after the big bang and what the end of the universe might be.

Following Andy’s talk we will, sky conditions allowing, do some live stargazing – using telescopes and astronomy binoculars.

This event takes place as part of the North Pennines Stargazing Festival 2022.