AN evening with BBC Sky at Night presenter Professor Chris Lintott in Helmsley will be one of the new events featuring in next February’s Dark Skies Festival, which is run jointly by the Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors National Parks.

The popular presenter will be talking about his new book ‘The Crowd and the Cosmos – Adventures in the Zooniverse’ and showing how, through the power of Citizen Science, anybody can get involved with helping scientists make the next space discoveries.

Other events happening across the Yorkshire Dales and Nidderdale during the 17-day festival between February 14 and March include an evening with expert astronomer Richard Darn.

He will be leading visitors on a tour of the universe during a star party in the peaceful village of Keld in Upper Swaledale.

It includes a night’s stargazing at The Dalesbridge in Austwick in the company of astronomer and keen photographer Pete Collins.

Following the popularity of its stargazing nights at this year’s festival, Britain’s highest pub Tan Hill will once again be staging a series of events.

Little Seed Farm, in Ripon, joins in the fun for the first time offering guests a ‘Star Glamp’ which includes a stay in the cabins, supper and an evening in the company of astronomers from Go Stargazing.

Building on the popularity of the night time canoeing at Scar House Reservoir in Nidderdale, the 2020 Festival will now offer visitors the opportunity to also paddle across the beautifully remote Semerwater in the Yorkshire Dales.

Similarly the popularity of hurtling into the darkness attached to Go Ape’s zip wire in the North York Moors has led to Low Mill Outdoor Centre in Askrigg setting up its own version of the experience for the Yorkshire Dales.

Visitors can also compete in a night run from Raydale Camping Barn in Wensleydale.

This involves an eight-mile off road cycle challenge from Hawes; or head over to Ribblehead for an opportunity to enjoy the dark skies before venturing underground for a caving session.

Creating an air of wonderment to help inspire the next generation will be a recurring theme threading through much of the festival’s programme. Youngsters can go on a tour of the solar system at Lime Tree Observatory at Grewelthorpe.

Here they will learn more about the animals that live under the Yorkshire Dales starry skies during a Go Wild! event at the Dales Countryside Museum in Hawes or follow a 1.3 mile planet trail on the Ingleborough Estate.

There will be a Dark Skies Planet Trail, running from Aysgarth Falls National Park Centre. Here you can learn fun facts about the plants in our solar system along the planet trail.

Discover the planets of our solar system as you follow the planet trail through the woodland of the Ingleborough Estate to Ingleborough Cave.

As you go along you will learn mind-blowing facts while travelling millions of miles, through the cosmos, towards the sun.

The 1.3 mile walk is popular with people of all ages.

Allow a minimum of half an hour for this walk along a gravel path, slightly uneven here and there and with some uphill gradients (10° max.).

Dogs are welcome, providing they are well behaved and are kept on a lead.

A small charge for the trail is applicable.

The Dark Skies Festival runs across four protected landscapes - the North York Moors National Park, Yorkshire Dales National Park, Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and the Howardian Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

National parks remain some of the darkest places in Great Britain and the event celebrates star-studded skies throughout autumn and winter.

Dark Skies are all about discovering, learning and enjoying the dark and the stars you can see as a result.

This could mean getting out for an activity such as cycling, walking, running or caving at night, attending a stargazing party, or taking part in a daytime event, learning more about star constellations or making a rocket.

There are events for families, first-time stargazers and those wishing to expand their knowledge or astrophotography skills further.

The organisation works with local astronomy clubs and other star loving organisations to help you discover the wonder of the night skies above your national parks.