Biosphere / Dark Sky Learning Journey

A group of artists from Dumfries and Galloway have headed off to Slovakia today to visit the Dark Skies Park and Biosphere in the East of the Country. The idea is that there is an exchange of experience and ideas between participants and people they meet there.

On their return they hope to produce a seminar or exhibition to promote better understanding of the Biosphere Reserve Concept.

We will be working with them on their return to then take any ideas or inspirations back with us on a visit to Slovakia later in the year. We hope to develop links with artists in Slovakia and develop some collaborative work as well as feeding our experiences into work within the Biosphere / Dark Skies Park here.

East Carpathians Biosphere information

Poloniny Dark Skies Park information

Astrophysics

A while ago we met up with Professor Martin Hendry who's based at the School of Physics and Astronomy at Glasgow University. www.astro.gla.ac.uk/~martin


His main areas of interest are gravitational wave astrophysics and cosmology and is part of the international group of scientists leading efforts to detect 'ripples in spacetime' predicted by Einstein i.e. gravitational waves. He is also enthusiastic about public engagement in science and is currently leading an international programme of outreach with schools and the public.


We enjoyed a wide ranging discussion with him touching on how art can engage people with science, the psychology of peoples interest in and connection to space, how embedded narratives can contribute to engagement and understanding. 


It was interesting to us to be reminded that the actual astronomy that can take place in the Dark Skies Park is limited by the available optical instruments (telescopes, binoculars) - and if none are available - the limits of the human eye. The development of astronomy now is based on different ways of 'seeing' the universe, radio waves for example. 


Some interesting websites/ initiatives that Professor Hendry indicated:


www.planethunters.org You can try to spot an as yet undiscovered extra solar planet "NASA's Kepler spacecraft is one of the most powerful tools in the hunt for extrasolar planets. The Kepler team's computers are sifting through the data, but we at Planet Hunters are betting that there will be planets which can only be found via the remarkable human ability for pattern recognition"


www.blackholehunter.org  
A game linked to the study of gravitational waves


www.curiousdirective.com/past/exoplanets
Curious Directive are a theatre company that produced a work combining music, video and dance to explore new knowledge into extra- solar planets.


www.gravitycentre.com.au/leaning-tower-of-gingin
The Gravity Centre in Perth, Australia, has a leaning tower where people can test Galileo's experiments to test whether  everything falls at the same speed.They have done work linking aboriginal culture to ways of making sense of the universe.

We hope to be able to continue discussions with Professor Hendry about ways to engage people with science through art.

New Dark Skies Observatory at Dalmellington....

We paid a visit to the site of the new Observatory on the Craigengillan Estate near Dalmellington. Manager Cath Seeds showed us around and explained that the Observatory would be completed this summer. Its a fantastic site with stunning views. The project has charitable status and as well as being a draw for those interested in astronomy, there will be a strong educational component. Cath is also hoping to introduce an art and craft element to the project drawing in work inspired by dark skies. The Observatory will also have a mobile 'pop up' dome which will be able to tour and project specially created videos internally.

                                            Artists Impression.Dark Skies Observatory, Dalmellinton


We'll be talking with Cath about ideas for how our work during the Residency could connect to the Observatory and astronomical events throughout the year.

                                       Cath and Robbie discuss the project at the observatory site

Dark Skies...

Since we started the residency, the weather has made it tricky for us to get a good look at the night sky - we were hoping to accompany a school astronomy trip with Galloway Forest Park Ranger, Lucy Hadley, however that had to be cancelled as it was too cloudy. 


Fortunately with the clear skies over the past few days , we have been able to really appreciate the beauty of the stars... and more! I've particularly enjoyed watching the Venus / Jupiter conjunction in the West. Although they are not so close now, they are still stunning with the waxing moon adding to the spectacle.


Yesterday March 29, 2012, the waxing moon shone right in front of the  big loop of stars known as the Winter Circle or the Winter Hexagon. The Winter Circle won’t start to fade into the glare of evening twilight till late April or May.

Steve Owens is chair of the International dark Skies Association's Dark Sky Places Development Committee and was instrumental in the development of the Galloway Forest  Dark Skies Park. He has a great online blog which updates on all kinds of astronomical events and has links to related organizations. Check it out at:


www.darkskydiary.wordpress.com


We're hoping to meet up with Steve soon to get his perspective on the development of Dark Skies Parks and on the potential role of artists in these newly designated places. 

Welcome

We are just getting started on the Residency and are looking forward to considering the nature of the Dark Skies Park and Biosphere, their impact and the potential role of artists.

We will be investigating the designation and meaning of place and in relation to the Dark Skies Park, exploring our relationship with the night sky and looking at how developments in astronomy and cosmology relate to identity and heritage. Within the Biosphere we'll be looking at the history of the area and the spiritual and emotional connections to place. We'll also be considering water - the Biosphere has used the area served by the same water courses, to delineate its boundaries.

We've been spending the first part of the residency meeting key people involved with the Galloway Forest Dark Skies Park and Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere. We're trying to build an understanding of the background to the designation of these areas and their aims, as well as starting on a period of research.


For more info see:
www.forestry.gov.uk/darkskygalloway
www.gallowayandsouthernayrshirebiosphere.org.uk


Both places cover very similar areas and we'll be spending time exploring!


Galloway Dark Skies Park - Rhinns of Kells area in
centre

Biosphere - Core areas in Red  - surrounded by Buffer Zone in green and a transitional zone delineated by the hatched area