Dark sky island plans to attract more stargazers
Sue DalyTourism chiefs on the dark sky island of Sark are hoping to attract more stargazing tourists by establishing a planetarium.
Sark Astronomy Society (SAstroS) said there were more than 1,000 visitors to its observatory last year but it wanted to do more to encourage people to visit during the day.
The observatory is in a field in the middle of the island where a lack of light pollution enhances the visibility of the night sky but cloudy weather can often spoil the view.
Jolie Rose, conseiller and deputy chair of Sark's tourism committee, said by establishing an all-weather planetarium it was hoped more visitors would visit the island to to learn more about its stargazing heritage.
Sark was designated as the world's first dark sky island by the International Dark-sky Association in 2011, joining other international sites recognised for their lack of light pollution.
Rose said: "We are so blessed with the view that we have, it's stunning. People are able to look at the Milky Way.
"It has been very popular over the last 10 years but we are going to introduce the planetarium next."
More daytime events
She said the planetarium would at first be established in a cider barn which would be kitted out with a projector.
This would then be upgraded with purpose-made inflatables to protect people from the elements.
Rose added: "It means if it's cloudy we can still do something and children don't have miss it if they can't stay up late."
It comes as the island – which has a ban on streetlights and cars - has looked to capitalise on its status as the world's first dark sky island since achieving the status in 2011.
The observatory was established 10 years ago, opening in October 2015.
Edd Stone, one of SAstroS observatory's guides, said the group wanted to run more daytime events, including making use of a solar telescope purchased last year.
He said he hoped the planetarium would be one step towards boosting daytime bookings.
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