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Stargazing at Cowdray
Venture on a fascinating guided tour of the night sky with local astronomer Dr John Mason MBE who will highlight some of the brighter stars, familiar and unfamiliar constellations, myths and legends of the stars, the Moon and visible planets, satellites, shooting stars and much more. Cowdray lies within the South Downs National Park which is an International Dark Sky Reserve, making it the perfect place to understand more of what takes place in the skies above us.
Dr John Mason MBE’s ‘living planetarium’ night-time tour uses the real night sky as an outdoor star theatre. We recommend bringing binoculars (if you have them), wrapping up warm and wearing sensible footwear. Hot drinks will be served during the experience.
Please note that this event is weather dependant. If visibility is deemed unsuitable for stargazing it is our hope that the experience will take place on the reserve date of Tuesday 24th October, although this is subject to the weather forecast.
Meeting point and parking: Ambersham & Brooks Fields Polo Ground (GU28 0PR)
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About Dr. John Mason MBE:
John, who is Principal Lecturer at the South Downs Planetarium in Chichester, has been actively involved in science for over 45 years, with astrophysics, space exploration and geophysics as his main areas of expertise. He has an international reputation as an enthusiastic and entertaining communicator of science.
John has been leading overseas expeditions to observe and record natural phenomena such as annular and total solar eclipses, the polar aurora and major meteor showers to destinations all over the world for over 30 years. The asteroid 1990 MN was named 6092 johnmason, after him by the International Astronomical Union in recognition of his various contributions to astronomy and he was made an MBE in the 2009 New Year’s Honours list for his services to science education.