Denbigh Town Hall turned into a space of stars and planets at the end of July, as a huge Planetarium arrived in the town.
Almost 150 children and families were fortunate to see constellations, thousands of stars and eight planets in a giant air-filled dome in the town. Families could sit and experience the thrill of watching the stars, planets, galaxies and the dark night of the sky move above them, thanks to incredible innovative technology. The experience was ‘out of this world’, many said.
The event ‘Syllu ar y Sêr’ was a joint partnership between Denbigh Museum, Menter Iaith Sir Ddinbych and the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Dark Skies team. Held over two days to bring the wonder of astronomy to children and young people locally, the sessions were held in both Welsh and English.
“The idea originated from a discussion about the world-famous astronomer, Isaac Roberts from Groes, near Denbigh. When we plan a programme of activities for children and families it is so important we try and raise awareness about local history and the history of Wales whilst youngsters enjoy these events. We were keen to discuss ideas with Denbigh Museum volunteers as we prepare to record the bicentenary of Isaac Roberts’ birth in 2029,” explains Ruth Williams from Menter Iaith Sir Ddinbych.
Gwenno Jones led the crew on the space journey in the Planetarium
Clwyd Wynne, Chairman of Denbigh Museum said: “Sharing our new home in Denbigh’s Butter Market with the Menter Iaith team has given us this golden opportunity to work together.
“Thanks to funding from The Royal Society’s ‘Places of Science’ we set about creating an event for families where it was possible to learn and understand more about astronomy in a progressive way by collaborating with the National Landscape’s Dark Skies team.
“Tracing local historians and bringing their life’s work and history to to the fore is important to us and we had a special opportunity to collaborate with Llandyrnog Astronomical Society to bring the astronomical expertise to the table as well”
Gwenno Jones, who led the sessions in the planetarium on behalf of the Dark Skies team said: “Most of the good work we do involves collaborating with communities and businesses to encourage and guide them to reduce light pollution. So to be able to come here to Denbigh to talk to children and their families about the importance of light pollution and open their eyes to the wonder of space and the universe is fantastic.”
Two brothers from Rhuddlan attended the event, the eldest Tomos, 13, a pupil at Ysgol Glan Clwyd, St Asaph and Aled, 8, who is currently enjoying his summer holidays from Ysgol Dewi Sant, Rhyl.
“Seeing the detail that we have in space within the planetarium was a completely new experience for me,” explains Tomos. “It was fantastic and I was delighted to see the zodiac signs in the stars, representing the different creatures such as the bull, the fish and the bear.
“I don’t have enough money to travel into space in a rocket, so the planetarium was a close second for me, today!”
Tomos, 13 and Aled, 8 from Rhuddlan came to enjoy learning more about the dark sky, the stars and the planets
His younger brother Aled who was really looking forward to attending the planetarium said: “This was great, much better than the small planetarium that came to our school some time ago where our visit was cut short due to an electricity failure at the school! I enjoyed seeing Saturn revolve around the earth and seeing my sign, Pisces, fish, high in the sky was a real highlight.
Keep an eye out for more exciting plans over the next three years as the partners work together to bring more events to celebrate the life of the astronomer, Isaac Roberts. He was the one who took the first picture of the Andromeda Galaxy by inventing a telescope system with a specialist camera back in 1888.