Whether you're handy with a telescope or a casual observer, Monmouthshire is great place for stargazing. The wonder of the galaxy is enough to enthral young and older minds wherever your telescope might be perched, but Wales is increasingly emerging as one of the best countries in the world from which to ponder its enormity.
The Brecon Beacons National Park for starters, became the country's first International Dark Sky Reserve in 2012, and there are dozens of places around the National Park, including in Monmouthshire, where you can stop off and survey spectacularly clear night skies.
At its simplest no equipment is needed for stargazing. Just dark cloudless skies and the naked eye. To enjoy looking at the stars always wear warm clothes and take a hot drink and a deckchair if possible. Drive to a safe parking place, like the top car park on the Sugarloaf mountain near Abergavenny. Turn all the lights off and give your eyes 10-15 minutes to adjust to the darkness. Then look up and be amazed. You'll probably be able to see more than 1,000 stars. With a planisphere or a basic star map for guidance you'll even pick out our own galaxy, the Milky Way, stretching across the sky.
Top tips for stargazing https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/features/top-tips-for-stargazing
Monmouthshire has five official Dark Sky Discovery Sites - Abergavenny Castle, Black Rock Picnic Site, Caldicot Castle & Country Park, Goytre Wharf and Skenfrith Castle. These are sites with very low levels of light pollution which are darker than the surrounding areas, and which are perfect for stargazing. These sites meet either one or two star darkness levels as below:
One Star Site
The seven main stars in Orion are visible to the naked eye. Typically this means away from, or shielded from, bright lights such as street lights, security lights or approaching car headlights.
Two Star Site
The Milky Way is visible to the naked eye. This will be a much darker site only found in more rural areas.
More information on Dark Sky Discovery Sites can be found at www.darkskydiscovery.org.uk
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