Star gazing event for Dalby Forest (From York Press)

Star gazing event for Dalby Forest, near Pickering

9:33am Saturday 18th August 2012 in Ryedale news

Forest rangers are going over to the dark side in search of life on earth before joining a quest to track down ET.

The Forestry Commission is staging a spectacular bats and stars night in Dalby Forest, near Pickering, next Saturday to celebrate the onset of darker nights.

The North York Moors beauty-spot never sleeps and at sunset nocturnal wildlife stirs for action, including eight different bat species. Rangers armed with electronic detectors will lead a trek through the woods to tune into their unique frequencies. Then Scarborough and Ryedale Astronomical Society will break out powerful telescopes to spy distant suns, sparkling star clusters and galaxies millions of light years away which experts believe could also harbour life.

Ranger Graham Jackson said: “Dalby is a fantastic place by night, with plenty of wildlife active and with the wonderful Milky Way arching over head on clear autumn nights, made far more visible because of the lack of light pollution. “This is a very popular event and terrific way to experience Mother Nature’s wonders.”

The event runs between 8pm and 10pm and booking is essential on 01751 472771.