A UNIQUE WALK INTO THE DARKEST PART OF THE KERRY INTERNATIONAL DARK SKY RESERVE
ABOUT YOUR GUIDE
Vincent Hyland is founder of Wild Derrynane outdoor wildlife experiences and author of the widely acclaimed natural history book, Wild Derrynane - A visual natural history of the Skellig Coast and Kerry Seas National Park. He was one of the original members of the Kerry Dark Sky Group that secured Gold Tier status (highest quality dark sky for a reserve) from the International Dark Sky Association for the Kerry International Dark Sky Reserve. Vincent is an avid astro photographer where he captures images of eclipse, comets and constellations within the reserve.
WHEN DO THESE TOURS TAKE PLACE?
Night time astronomy walks are cloud and weather dependent. Clear skies are preferred, and so I tend to announce these within a day or two of happening. They also depend on the time of year, with summer walks happening later than winter ones.
Please check social media for announcements
WHERE DO THESE TOURS TAKE PLACE
All walks take place in Derrynane, in the core of the Kerry International Dark Sky Reserve.
TOPICS COVERED
Subjects covered include, my role in the establishment of the darksky reserve, identifying the Pole Star and circumpolar constellations, the sesonal position of asterisms and planets. The walks include elements such as visiting a stone fort, ancient astronomical alignments within the area, beaches and if present, seeing bioluminescence.
The talk/walk is illustrated with practical examples of photos that I took of constellations, the milky way, eclipses and comets over the last 15 years from within the darksky reserve. There are discussions about astrophotography.
The creation of Caherdaniel's the 'Walk of the Planets' is also discussed.
NOCTURNAL WILDLIFE and LIGHT POLLUTION
There is an element of listening for and seeing nocturnal wildlife and a section about night-time fluorescence in marine life. The effects of light pollution in the quality of the night sky and on nocturnal animal behaviour is also discussed, and about how the establishment of the reserve was instrumental in addressing this.
Requests to do the exact same in other locations across the darksky reserve are also accommodated.
Keep an eye out on my social media accounts for dates and details.