The Dark Side of the Universe

The Dark Side of the Universe

Saturday 22nd October 2022 from 20:00pm to 22:30pm

North Pennines Observatory
The Old School House, Allenheads, Northumberland, NE47 9HR

Ever wondered what’s out there? Dr Pete Edwards, Director of Science Outreach at Durham University, will guide you!

Most of our universe is missing! When we look into the night sky, we realise there is much more out there than meets the eye. Our universe is filled with mysterious dark matter, whose gravity provides the cosmic glue that holds it all together, and dark energy slowly tearing the universe apart.

It seems that darkness rules. But what is this dark stuff? How do we know it is there? What does it do? Durham University lecturer Dr Peter Edwards will provide some answers. After the talk, you’ll do some stargazing (sky conditions permitting) in the Observatory.

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

Please note that this has already taken place on 22/10/2022


Event organiser

North Pennines Observatory

North Pennines Observatory is organising this event

Please contact North Pennines Observatory directly for more details regarding this event or, if appropriate, contact the event venue.


Event booking

For full details on how to attend this event, including how to book, please see the event's official 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.



Stay and gaze nearby

Stay at one of these stargazing-friendly accommodation providers.

  • Cranmore House – Nenthead

    Holmsfoot, Nenthead, Cumbria, CA9 3LS (5.3 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

    More info
  • Greenends Holiday Cottages

    Nenthead, Alston, Cumbria, CA9 3NA (5.6 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

    More info
  • Langdon Beck Hotel – Teesdale

    Langdon Beck, Forest-in-Teesdale, County Durham, DL12 0XP, North East (8.9 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

    More info
  • Mark Close Farmhouse – Alston

    Brampton Road, Alston, Cumbria, CA9 3BD (9.4 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

    More info
  • Brewers Cottage – Hexham

    Leafields, Ordley, Hexham, Northumberland, NE46 1SX (9.9 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

    More info
  • The High Force Hotel

    Alston Road, Middleton-in-Teesdale, County Durham, DL12 0XH (10.6 miles away)

    Go Stargazing Site, Stay & Gaze

    More info