Reaching for the Stars

Today, Tisbury Memory Group enjoyed being part of StarFest 2026. StarFest is the annual festival of the Cranborne Chase International Dark Sky Reserve.  The presentation laid on for us as part of the festival explored the aurora borealis (northern lights) and star lore.

There was much to enjoy in a morning that featured a couple of real star turns.

First, astronomer and space scientist Jo Richardson inspired us with her talk about the aurora borealis, drawing on a trip she and her family made to Saariselkä, Finland, in the Arctic Circle.  We learned that the aurora borealis was named by Galileo and that it results from interaction between the sun and the earth. Her top tip was that February and March are the best months to view it.

Storyteller Lizzie Bryant then gave an animated performance of two mythical tales – one about the sun-child and the moon-child, and the other about the sun, the moon and the northern lights.

Together, the two sessions brought a lively contrast between factual science and dramatic storytelling, giving our minds a good workout on several fronts.

Warm thanks to Cranborne Chase International Dark Sky Reserve for making this unique event possible.