Planetarium Event

What a brilliant session two separate groups of enthusiastic Friends members had at Planetarium events at Denbigh and Mold. Squeezed in between February half term sessions for the area’s schoolchildren, those attending were given a fascinating insight into our dark skies. This at the very time when five planets were visible to the naked eye – something that won’t happen again until 2040. David Shiel was our guide, ably assisted by Gwenno, as we took a tour which showed us all the constellations and how they had gained their historic names. We also learned much about our own galaxy, the milky way, and it’s closer neighbour, Andromeda. The scale of the universe, both in terms of times and distances, were truly astronomical! It all took our breath away – we all marvelled at the sheer magnitude and complexity of it all. David also gave us an insight into the National Landscape’s work as part of the Dark Skies initiative. Combatting light pollution was central to this – the importance of preserving and enhancing darkness was stressed, not only for our own well-being but for large sections of our natural world with over 60% of species dependent to a varying extent on access to periods of darkness. Many thanks to our presenters David and Gwenno, Ceri and Mari from the NL team too, for organising these important sessions. The emphasis on informing and enthusing our children in this vital matter is very much supported.

Digwyddiad Planetarium

Am sesiwn wych gyda dau grŵp o’n Cyfeillion brwdfrydig yn nigwyddiadau’r Planetarium yn Ninbych a’r Wyddgrug. Wedi’u gwasgu i mewn rhwng sesiynau hanner tymor mis Chwefror i blant ysgol yr ardal, cafodd y rhai a oedd yn bresennol gipolwg diddorol ar ein hawyr dywyll. Ac roedd hyn ar yr adeg pan oedd pum planed yn weladwy i’r llygaid – rhywbeth na fydd yn digwydd eto tan 2024. David Shiel oedd ein harweinydd wedi’i gynorthwyo gan Gwenno, wrth i ni fynd ar daith a dysgu am y cytserau a sut cawson nhw eu henwau hanesyddol. Dysgom am ein galaeth, y llwybr llaethog, a’i chymydog agosaf, Andromeda. Mae maint y bydysawd, o ran amser a phellter, yn anferthol! Roedd yn mynd ag anadl rhywun – roeddem ni i gyd yn rhyfeddu at ehangder a chymhlethdod bob dim. Rhoddodd David hefyd gipolwg i ni ar waith y Tirwedd Cenedlaethol fel rhan o fenter Awyr Dywyll. Mae mynd i’r afael â llygredd golau yn rhan bwysig o hyn – pwysleisiwyd pwysigrwydd gwarchod a gwella tywyllwch er ein lles ni ac er budd ein byd naturiol gan fod dros 60% o rywogaethau yn dibynnu i raddau gwahanol ar gyfnodau o dywyllwch. Llawer o ddiolch i’n cyflwynwyr, David a Gwenno, ac i Ceri a Mari o’r tîm Tirweddau Cenedlaethol am drefnu’r sesiynau pwysig hyn. Rydym ni wir yn cefnogi’r pwyslais a roddir ar drawsnewid ac annog brwdfrydedd ein plant dros y mater hollbwysig yma.