Five of the best
Our pick of the best star parties in the UK and US, where dark skies and good company are guaranteed
Parties in the UK
1. Kielder Star Party
Held twice a year at the remote Kielder Campsite in Northumberland, the hardy stargazers who attend this star party enjoy some of the darkest skies in the UK. www.facebook.com/Kielderstarcamp
2. Kelling Star Party
The largest star party in the UK, this week-long gathering organised by the Loughton Astronomical Society is held at Kelling Heath on the north Norfolk coast. www.kellingheath.co.uk
3. Galloway Gathering Star Party
Held at Dunroamin Farm Camping and Caravan Site in a beautiful dark-sky area of the Scottish Borders, this star party attracts amateur astronomers from all over the country. www.dunroamin.co.uk
4. Dalby Forest Starfest
In the heart of Yorkshire’s beautiful Dalby Forest, this is a fun family event with stargazing at night, and talks and other activities during the daytime. www.scarborough-ryedale-as. org.uk/saras/starfest
5. Astrocamp
Twice a year, stargazers flock to Cwmdu in the beautiful Brecon Beacons in mid-Wales for one of the UK’s largest star camps. www.astrocamp.awesomeastronomy.com
Parties in the USA
1. Stellafane Convention
One of the largest, oldest star parties in the US, Stellafane is a summer event that attracts enthusiastic stargazers from across the United States. www.stellafane.org
2. Texas Star Party
This popular star party, held at Fort Davis in Texas, enjoys very dark skies and welcomes experienced observers and absolute beginners alike. www.texasstarparty.org
3. Grand Canyon National Park Star Party
An annual, week-long summer star party in one of the most dramatic locations in the US. With talks, workshops and observing after dark, it’s a hugely popular event. www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/grand-canyon-starparty.htm
4. Joshua Tree Night Sky Festival
A two-day annual event organised by the Sky’s The Limit Observatory & Nature Center and the Joshua Tree Residential Education Experience. www.skysthelimit29.org/night-sky-festival.html
5. Green Bank Star Quest
This four-day optical and radio astronomy event is held at the dark-sky site of the Green Bank Observatory in West Virginia, with workshops, guest speakers and observing sessions. www.greenbankstarquest.org