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An “out of this world” event is being held in Powys to celebrate an estate achieving Dark Sky Park accreditation

The Family Astronomy Day ion Thursday, October 29 is being organised by Dwr Cymru and the Elan Valley Trust at Elan Valley Visitor Centre, near Rhayader from 10am to 10pm.

The Elan Valley Estate has become the first privately-owned, but publicly accessible, location in the world to be awarded International Dark Sky Park Status.

There will be lots of talks and activities during day for all ages and levels of interest, from the wannabe-astronaut to the experienced stargazer.

From 10am - 4.30pm, an astronomy exhibition will be held with stands and activities from Astro Cymru and Aberystwyth University , including paper rockets, meteor handing, displays and exhibits.

Outdoor activities include safe solar observation through telescopes by Pete Williamson, FRAS and members of Elan Valley Astronomy and a photographic display. Booking is not required for exhibition events.

From 11am to 12 noon, Sorcha Lewis will give a talk on the important wildlife of the Elan Valley and how Dark Sky Park Status will protect and enhance the wildlife. She will also examine how light pollution impacts our wildlife.

During the afternoon experts will give talks on taking photographs of the night sky, the use of telescopes and the importance of a dark sky.

As there are only 30 spaces available for each of these talks, booking is essential.

In the evening there will be a series of planetarium sessions with Allan Trow, a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society. Booking is essential as spaces are limited to 35.

At 7pm, weather permitting, there will be an outdoor observation session with telescopes and members of Elan Valley Astronomy. No booking is required.

For more information and to book places contact the Elan Valley Visitor Centre 01597 810880.