Our night with the stars

The heavens were very kind to us for our stargazing event in February 2025.

Conditions could not have been better for our recent joint event with our friends  Somerset Levels Stargazers at Middlezoy Village Hall.  It was a cold and clear night with no clouds and no wind – perfect!  With impeccable timing, this was also one of the last chances to see the planetary parade . This is a unique event when all the planets of our solar system line up in the night sky.  We won’t see this again until 2040.

Many thanks to Somerset’s own award-winning Landscape Astrophotographer, Josh Dury. who dashed to Middlezoy straight after being interviewed by BBC News! Josh spoke about his passion for dark skies.

Josh shared some of the spectacular photographs he has taken in remote locations around the world.  He mourns the increase in light pollution that he has seen in his lifetime in the Mendip Hills and joined the other speakers in urging people to fight light pollution wherever they can.

We also heard from Nick O’Donnell, who is Chairman of South Somerset Astronomy Society. Nick is leading a project to revamp the Taunton & Bridgwater Canal Solar System Walk. He wants to improve the information for visitors and also install a new moveable feature along the space trail – Halley’s Comet!

The hall was packed with people and there were displays to see and interesting talks on offer.  There was plenty of opportunity to look through the telescopes and get a brilliant view of the stars.  Plus tea and home-made cakes to help us all keep warm!

Thanks to everyone who came along. It was a thoroughly enjoyable evening and we are grateful to Somerset Levels Stargazers for all their hard work in organising the event.

CPRE has campaigned for many years to reduce light pollution and ensure that everyone can enjoy truly dark skies.

Learn more about why are campaigning for dark skies

See our interactive dark skies map