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*UPDATE* The event is being postponed due to predicted bad weather, we will update this story as soon as we know the new date for the event.

Stargazers are going to have the opportunity to spot planets and star clusters during an event celebrating the dark sky of Bodmin Moor.

The famous moorland was designated as an International Dark Sky Landscape in July after a successful bid by Cornwall Council and Upton Cross-based Caradon Observatory.

The International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) designations are for places that have an exceptionally high quality night sky and have made a commitment and put partnerships in place to work to protect and enhance it.

The area proposed for inclusion in the Bodmin Moor International Dark Sky Designation was the portion of the moor that lies within the Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, plus a two-mile buffer zone around it.

Now the free stargazing event will be led by Caradon observatory and will take place on Saturday, October 21, at Jamaica Inn.

There will be a dinner from 7pm, costing £15 per person, which will be followed by a free stargazing session. It will open to everyone.

(Image: Michael Bennett)

The dinner event will include an introduction to Bodmin Moor’s International Dark Sky Landscape designation and a talk on Neptune and the Cornishman John Couch Adams, who predicted the planet’s existence in the 1800s based on irregularities in the motion of Uranus.

There will also be an opportunity to see Neptune and its moon Triton illustrated on the Magic Planet, an interactive globe that depicts the topography of planets.

The free stargazing session will start at 8.30pm with a chance to chat with the astronomers. Outside observing will begin from 9pm.

There will be an array of telescopes for viewing the night sky, including a 12-inch telescope on loan from First Light Optics in Exeter.

At twilight Saturn will be a few degrees above the southwest horizon. Neptune will be due south at around 10pm. Although much smaller than the major gas giants when viewed through a telescope, it will still be visible as a blue disc.

Weather permitting there should also be a chance to see the Andromeda galaxy, a star cluster or two and the beautiful double star, Albireo, at the head of Cygnus, the swan constellation.

Mike Willmott, Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Association and Caradon Observatory’s director, said: “Everyone is welcome to join us for this opportunity to view the stars and planets from one of the darkest areas of night sky in the country.

"If it’s a clear night, there’ll be the chance to look through telescopes, or to look at the Andromeda Galaxy, the nearest spiral galaxy and the most distant object you can view with the naked eye.

"If it’s cloudy, you’ll still be able to enjoy talks about the wonders of our universe and to put your questions to the astronomers.”

Cornwall Council is advising people to wrap up warm. Call Jamaica Inn on 01566 86250 to book a place at the dinner event.