The Brecon Bears in Wales are some of the best spots to enjoy the amazing night sky, lit up with stars. Many go there to see the Geminid meteor Shower.
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Incredible hyperlapse footage showing the Northern Lights of Anglesey
Stargazing is easier now that the clocks have gone back.
And there’s one particular part of the UK where the night sky is better than anywhere else to look up at the stars and see the meteors, Milky Way, and if you’re lucky – the aurora borealis.
Brecon Beacons National Parc, Wales, is an internationally-recognized dark sky reserve. It means there is an exceptional quality starry night with very little pollution.
Brecon Beacons Holiday Cottages We recommend that you grab your binoculars and head to Wales this winter to see the Geminid meteor shower. It can be viewed from the Brecon Beacons in December.
The Northern Lights can be seen from the Brecon Beacons. They are most likely to be visible on dark clear nights during the autumn equinox, which is from October to March.
Autumn is also a great time to view the Milky Way from The Brecon Beacons. It looks like a blurred band of light stretching across the night sky.
Meanwhile, there are 88 different constellations in the sky and prominent ones to look out for include The Plough which points to Polaris (The North Star) and Orion’s Belt which is next to Sirius, the brightest star in the sky.
An aptly named one to try and spot while you’re in Wales is Draco the Dragon – it’s a long curve of stars that swirls around Polaris in the northern part of the sky.
The International Space Station orbits Earth once every 90 minutes. You should be able recognize this white dot as being the brightest object in night sky. Mercury, Venus Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, and Mars are also visible from Earth.
Do you want to stargaze in Wales? Here’s where you should head to:
Carreg Cennen
From the Carreg Cennen ruins, enjoy stunning views of the Carmenshire countryside.
It is located on a limestone ridge, and has dark skies that make it ideal for stargazing.
Usk Reservoir
This tranquil reservoir, located high up in the Usk Valley is protected against light pollution.
You can park on the lot and have flat surfaces to mount a telescope.
Llanthony Priory
This Augustinian priory can be found in the remote Vale of Ewyas.
You can enjoy the best dark skies in Wales because there is no light pollution.
Hay Bluff
From the Hay Bluff car park, you can see spectacular views of Powys or Shropshire.
Hay Bluff is part the Black Mountains.
Libanus
Just outside Libanus is the Brecon Beacons Visitor Centre.
You will find plenty of information and resources to help you make the most out of Pen y Fan’s stunning views.
The following are top tips for stargazing in Brecon Beacons
Stargazing is an activity that’s accessible to all but planning ahead and bringing along a few key items will help you to get the most out of your evening of spotting stars.
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It may take up to 30 minutes for your eyes adjust to the dark night sky. You should avoid any light pollution such as mobile phones and torches. For night vision, red-light torches work best. Phones should be switched to night mode.
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Evenings in the Brecon Beacons can get rather chilly so it’s a good idea to bring along several layers of clothing and have hats and gloves at the ready so that you can keep warm as the night-time temperature starts to drop.
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A compass will help you to know which direction you’re facing when you’re looking for particular constellations in the sky. Many smartphones have a compass function that can help you find north and south.
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Although you’ll be surprised at just how much can be seen with the naked eye, bringing along even a cheap pair of binoculars will help to enhance your view so that you can see even more stars in the sky.
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You can find constellations in your night sky with several smartphone apps, such as SkyView Lite and Star & Planet Finder.
