“We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars…” (Oscar Wilde)

 

Tomorrow is Astronomy Day at Swans, and we will be lucky enough to host a series of talks from expert Ken Campbell, as well as having the opportunity to participate in a workshop on how to make the most out of a telescope.

Here in the Marbella region we benefit from extremely clear skies, allowing us to star gaze year round without being hampered by rain and cloud cover.  And while it´s certainly relaxing and picturesque to look up at that twinkling blanket and marvel at its mysteries, it´s even more gratifying to look at them with a little knowledge of what you are actually seeing.

Your humble librarian got this wonderful shot just the other morning of what I thought was a very bright, very large star that was still visible long after the others had faded in the morning glow.  A bit of research and a chat with some of our extremely knowledgeable science faculty led me to the realisation that this is actually Venus.  Right now we have spectacular pre-dawn views of it as it wanes in the full glare of the rising sun.  Isn´t that just out of this world?

So get ready to satisfy your thirst for knowledge about the wonders of the universe this Tuesday 4^th February and make the most out of our dark Mediterranean skies.