The society is holding another public event in conjunction with the forthcoming BBC Stargazing Live Event being broadcast on the TV 16th-18th January 2012 from 8-10pm

The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) and the British Astronomical Association’s Campaign for Dark Skies are asking people to take part in the 2012 Star Count. In small groups we shall see how dark the sky is by using our Sky Quality Meter. Using a chart we shall then count how many stars we see in the constellation Orion.The star count should not include these four corner stars, only those within this rectangular boundary, but do include the stars in the middle known as Orion's three-star belt.

Participants will be encouraged to take the results home and compare them in their own back garden, thereby giving us results across the Island. People should make a count of the number of stars seen with the naked eye, not with telescopes or binoculars, and then complete the online survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/starcount-2012 or send their count, the time and date it was made, and the location to Star Count, Campaign for Dark Skies, 38 The Vineries, Colehill, Wimborne, BH21 2PX.

Other activities include observing the amount of stars we can see with the naked eye compared to binoculars. Many Telescopes will be be available to view. We will also have Astro photo and slide show displays.

Bookings are required for groups of 10 or more

We have concrete paths and a ramp for wheelchair access to the Observatory, but no ramp or lift up into the dome for the big telescope. Car park in small, so we use 'Thompsons' car park opposite for large events.

The area is dark, so bring a torch (preferably a red one as they do not disturb your night vision)and wrap up warm.

As we run as a charity the entrance is Free, although we have a suggested donation of £1 per person