Dark Skies Return! Stargazing at Sutton Bank

Dark Skies Return! Stargazing at Sutton Bank

Saturday 31st August 2024 from 20:30pm to 22:30pm

Sutton Bank Star Hub
Sutton Bank National Park Centre, Thirsk, North Yorkshire, YO7 2EX

Dark skies are back after the summer break so we are breaking out our telescopes to go on a Bank Holiday weekend cosmic voyage! Our venue is the Star Hub at Sutton Bank National Park Centre and our targets will include the beautiful Milky Way and summer constellations. We will also reveal the most distant object you can see in the dark skies above – the Andromeda Galaxy – and may even catch sight of Saturn rising.

The Hub provides a warm indoor space for colourful presentations with a purpose built viewing area alongside. If it’s cloudy we will still see stars thanks to a brilliant computer based planetarium show.

The North York Moors National Park is an international dark sky reserve with low levels of light pollution. We advise you to wear sensible outdoor footwear and wrap up warm. Bring binoculars if you have them, although we will supply the telescopes!

Please note that this has already taken place on 31/08/2024


Event organiser

Richard Darn

Richard Darn is organising this event

Please contact Richard Darn directly for more details regarding this event or, if appropriate, contact the event venue.


Event booking

Please book tickets for this event via the Eventbrite website.

Visit event website

Event darkness

The Moon has a big impact on the visibility of celestial bodies in the night sky. Try to plan your stargazing when there is no bright Moon at night as this is when the skies will be at their darkest.

The below chart shows if and when the skies will be at their darkest during this event. Moonlight is shown in light yellow and the Sun's twilight in light blue. Midnight on the date shown is shown as a white line with sunset to the left and sunrise the next morning to the right. A black background with stars shows the best times for stargazing.



Forthcoming events

Below is a list of events at Sutton Bank Star Hub. View these events on our calendar, add them to your calendar or Google Calendar.

  • Journey to our nearest galaxy! Stargazing at Sutton Bank

    Saturday 5th October 2024 from 20:00pm to 22:00pm

    Sutton Bank Star Hub, Thirsk, YO7 2EX

    More info
  • Solar System Night! Stargazing at Sutton Bank

    Saturday 19th October 2024 from 20:00pm to 22:00pm

    Sutton Bank Star Hub, Thirsk, YO7 2EX

    More info
  • Dark Skies Experience at Sutton Bank

    Friday 25th October 2024 from 18:45pm to 21:45pm

    Sutton Bank Star Hub, Thirsk, YO7 2EX

    More info
  • Dark Skies Experience at Sutton Bank

    Saturday 26th October 2024 from 18:45pm to 21:45pm

    Sutton Bank Star Hub, Thirsk, YO7 2EX

    More info
  • Dark Skies Experience at Sutton Bank

    Thursday 31st October 2024 from 18:45pm to 21:45pm

    Sutton Bank Star Hub, Thirsk, YO7 2EX

    More info
  • Geminids Meteor Shower Special at Sutton Bank

    Saturday 14th December 2024 from 18:45pm to 21:45pm

    Sutton Bank Star Hub, Thirsk, YO7 2EX

    More info

Stay and gaze nearby

Stay at one of these stargazing-friendly accommodation providers.

  • Carr House Farm Bed and Breakfast – Ampleforth

    Ampleforth, York, North Yorkshire, YO62 4ED (4.2 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

    More info
  • Easterside Farm

    Hawnby, Helmsley, North Yorkshire, YO62 5QT (4.6 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

    More info
  • Carlton Lodge – Helmsley

    53 Bondgate, Helmsley, North Yorkshire, YO62 5EY (6.2 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

    More info
  • Carlton Grange – Helmsley

    Carlton, Helmsley, North Yorkshire, YO62 5HH (6.4 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

    More info
  • High Farm – Beadlam Rigg

    Beadlam Rigg, Pockley, North Yorkshire, YO62 7TG (8.3 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

    More info
  • Millfield Cottage

    Chop Gate, Middlesbrough, Cleveland, TS9 7JD, Yorkshire and The Humber England (11.0 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

    More info