Embrace the Darkness (South Downs National Park Authority)

Dark skies aren't just for stargazing, you know? It's also a habitat, an environment, a place for us to escape to with our thoughts or to let go of thoughts entirely.

In this new podcast series from the South Downs National Park Authority, Einor Newman - "Queen of Darkness" and organiser of the National Park's annual Dark Skies Festival - chats to a number of different guests, each with their own unique relationship with the night sky.

So put in your ear plugs, wrap up warm and come on a journey with us as we 'Embrace the Darkness.'

First episode arrives on 13 February 2025. 

#SouthDowns #Podcast #Astronomy #NightSky #Space

Thank you for listening to ‘Embrace the Darkness’, presented by Elinor Newman.

The podcast is recorded and produced by the South Downs National Park Authority from the South Downs International Dark Sky Reserve.

Music is Orbit by D0d, direct from Uppbeat.

To find out more about the South Downs International Dark Sky Reserve, including the best places to stargaze, go to www.southdowns.gov.uk/DarkSkies

In this episode Elinor is joined by 'Dark Skies' Dan Oakley, founder of Darkscape Consulting and chair of the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) Places committee.

Hugely knowledgeable and with an incredible passion for dark skies, Dan was instrumental in the South Downs National Park achieving International Dark Skies Reserve status in 2016. 

On this 'talk and walk' of Queen Elizabeth Country Park in Hampshire, Dan and Elinor chat about seeing the Milky Way for the first time, the journey to becoming an International Dark Sky Reserve and what we can all do to help protect our dark night skies. 

Enjoy!

Remember, if you have a question, comment or suggestion, please email embracethedarkness@southdowns.gov.uk

#SouthDowns #NightSky #DarkSkies #EmbraceTheDarkness #Astronomy #Space

Thank you for listening to ‘Embrace the Darkness’, presented by Elinor Newman.

The podcast is recorded and produced by the South Downs National Park Authority from the South Downs International Dark Sky Reserve.

Music is Orbit by D0d, direct from Uppbeat.

To find out more about the South Downs International Dark Sky Reserve, including the best places to stargaze, go to www.southdowns.gov.uk/DarkSkies

In this episode Elinor takes a night time stroll across Iping Common with South Downs Health and Wellbeing Officer, Kate Drake. 

A Dark Sky Discovery Site, Iping Common is not only one of the best places to view the night sky, it is also a great location to connect with wildlife and nature, especially nocturnal critters. 

On this walk, Kate and Elinor chat about their experiences of spending nights alone under the stars, controlling their fears of the darkness and finding 'glimmers' - the small, positive moments in our every day lives that bring comfort and joy. 

Remember, if you have a question, comment or suggestion, please email embracethedarkness@southdowns.gov.uk

#SouthDowns #NightSky #DarkSkies #EmbraceTheDarkness #Astronomy #Space #Health #Wellbeing #Glimmers

Thank you for listening to ‘Embrace the Darkness’, presented by Elinor Newman.

The podcast is recorded and produced by the South Downs National Park Authority from the South Downs International Dark Sky Reserve.

Music is Orbit by D0d, direct from Uppbeat.

To find out more about the South Downs International Dark Sky Reserve, including the best places to stargaze, go to www.southdowns.gov.uk/DarkSkies

On this week's episode, Elinor is joined by Mark Westmoquette, astrophysicist,  Zen yoga teacher, author and 'mindful stargazer.'

Knowledgeable and insightful, Mark shares with Elinor his journey from focusing purely on the science of the cosmos, to embracing the deeper relationship people can have with the universe and their place within it. 

The conversation spans from Mark's early career as a researcher, his time observing the dark night skies of St. Helena in the South Atlantic, and using mindfulness techniques to ground ourselves when in darkness, even under cloudy skies. 

Mark even shares a mindful stargazing exercise you can try for yourself! 

Remember, if you have a question, comment or suggestion, please email embracethedarkness@southdowns.gov.uk

#SouthDowns #NightSky #DarkSkies #EmbraceTheDarkness #Astronomy #Space #Health #Wellbeing #Glimmers #Mindfulness

Thank you for listening to ‘Embrace the Darkness’, presented by Elinor Newman.

The podcast is recorded and produced by the South Downs National Park Authority from the South Downs International Dark Sky Reserve.

Music is Orbit by D0d, direct from Uppbeat.

To find out more about the South Downs International Dark Sky Reserve, including the best places to stargaze, go to www.southdowns.gov.uk/DarkSkies

In this week's episode, Elinor chats to Dr. Christopher Barnes, a chartered psychologist conducting and supervising doctoral research in the areas of parenting, child development and nature connection.

Following his own 'dark skies epiphany', Dr. Barnes began combining his academic research on child development and nature connectiveness with connectiveness to the night sky. 

Together, Elinor and Dr. Barnes discuss the 'Five Pathways' to nature connectedness, with Dr. Barnes sharing fresh insights on recent studies to how our ability to see the night sky impacts our health and wellbeing. 

Remember, if you have a question, comment or suggestion, please email embracethedarkness@southdowns.gov.uk

#SouthDowns #NightSky #DarkSkies #EmbraceTheDarkness #Astronomy #Space #Health #Wellbeing #Glimmers #Mindfulness

Thank you for listening to ‘Embrace the Darkness’, presented by Elinor Newman.

The podcast is recorded and produced by the South Downs National Park Authority from the South Downs International Dark Sky Reserve.

Music is Orbit by D0d, direct from Uppbeat.

To find out more about the South Downs International Dark Sky Reserve, including the best places to stargaze, go to www.southdowns.gov.uk/DarkSkies

In this week's episode, we teamed up with Francesca Turauskis and Katie Stokes from the Tremula Network - an award-winning, audio-first podcast company dedicated to unheard stories of adventure, nature and the outdoors.

This week's episode was recorded live at the Brighton Seafront Star Party on 22 February - the final event of the 2025 South Downs Dark Skies Festival. 

With Elinor having her hands full, Francesca and Katie took the opportunity to chat to those in attendance, finding out what is it about the night sky that inspires them and why events like the Festival are a great way of connecting more people with their dark night skies. 

Remember, if you have a question, comment or suggestion, please email embracethedarkness@southdowns.gov.uk

#SouthDowns #NightSky #DarkSkies #EmbraceTheDarkness #Astronomy #Space 

Thank you for listening to ‘Embrace the Darkness’, presented by Elinor Newman.

The podcast is recorded and produced by the South Downs National Park Authority from the South Downs International Dark Sky Reserve.

Music is Orbit by D0d, direct from Uppbeat.

To find out more about the South Downs International Dark Sky Reserve, including the best places to stargaze, go to www.southdowns.gov.uk/DarkSkies

Join Elinor for a magical night under the stars as she explores the breathtaking dark skies of Bignor Hill, a designated dark sky discovery site.  

Elinor is joined by Vicki Wells, a member of the South Downs National Park Authority and a former producer of BBC Sky at Night, for a fascinating conversation about astronomy, dark sky conservation, and the beauty of stargazing.

As the sun sets, they discuss the importance of preserving natural darkness, the wonders of the night sky, and what makes places like Bignor Hill so special for celestial observation. 

Whether you're an avid stargazer or just curious about the cosmos, this episode is sure to inspire you to look up and embrace the night!

Remember, if you have a question, comment or suggestion, please email embracethedarkness@southdowns.gov.uk

#SouthDowns #NightSky #DarkSkies #EmbraceTheDarkness #Astronomy #Space 

Thank you for listening to ‘Embrace the Darkness’, presented by Elinor Newman.

The podcast is recorded and produced by the South Downs National Park Authority from the South Downs International Dark Sky Reserve.

Music is Orbit by D0d, direct from Uppbeat.

To find out more about the South Downs International Dark Sky Reserve, including the best places to stargaze, go to www.southdowns.gov.uk/DarkSkies