Projects related to Dark Sky Scotland
The Scottish Solar System is the network of Scotland's local astronomical societies
which make a remarkably good scale model of the Solar System!
UK Dark Sky Discovery is a programme to develop similar Dark Sky partnerships
in other parts of the UK.
Big Telescopes is a new programme bringing together information for
the public and schools about the UK's involvement in large telescopes around
the world.
Highland Constellation Project
The Highland Constellation Project ran during 2007/8, and featured a group of artists working in schools across the Highlands. With their help, the pupils created various pieces, including artwork and poetry, which culminated in the creation of a new constellation, made of stars selected by seven different schools. The project also saw the installation of several pieces of outdoor art at Glenuig, which showcase some of the pupils work, and allow visitors to identify the Highland Constellation. Writer Linda Cracknel wrote this blog Walking through the Stars about the project.
Constellation Project for Primary Schools
Following the success of the Highland Constellation Project during 2007/8, artist Gill Russell and Astronomer Royal for Scotland, Professor John Brown teamed up to lead a Primary Schools Constellation Project. This ran as part of International Year of Astronomy 2009. Have a look at the project's website to find out more.
Other Astronomy Projects and Resources
Heavens Above is a fantastic site for finding out what you can see above your exact location – choose where on the Earth you are and see what is in the sky right now, last week or in 17.5 hours, when to see the International Space Station, comets, Iridium Flares and more.
Stellarium is free downloadable astronomy software to turn your computer into a planetarium, available for Windows, Mac and Linux. Spin back and forth through time, see what the sky was like above your house when you were born, or 2000 years into the future. Defaults to your computer’s clock, so displays current sky at start-up.
Galaxy Zoo is a ‘citizen-science’ project, enabling you to work with real data and help in the classification of galaxies.
Solar Storm Watch is from the same team that runs GalaxyZoo, a project in which you can help to spot and monitor explosions on the surface of the sun – your involvement could result in astronauts being given advance warning of solar radiation heading towards the Earth