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To judge from the feedback we have received so far, the Stonehenge winter solstice event 2009 was a great success. It was organised by the Royal Astronomical Society together with English Heritage to celebrate the connection between Stonehenge and the sky, and was the closing event of the International Year of Astronomy 2009 in the UK.
Click here for feedback received from participants at the event.
Click here for a picture archive of the event, constructed from images contributed by participants.
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Overview |
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What happened at Stonehenge between Dec 16 and 19:
During normal opening hours, archaeologists and astronomers were on hand both around the site and in and around a marquee in the car park, where they engaged with visitors, offered tours and answered questions. Also present were a number of local astronomical societies with an impressive array of telescopes and binoculars. Finally there was FETTU, an exhibition of remarkable astronomical images that remained on-site until January 3rd.
The weather was not too unkind: Day 1 was cloudy, and although there was a biting wind on Days 2 and 3 the remaining days were largely clear and sunny.
The special access tours to the interior of the stones after dark were extremely well received, drawing participants from as far afield as the Isle of Wight and the Isle of Man, not to mention the USA!
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Thanks! |
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We would like to thank all the archaeologists and astronomers who gave up their time to be guides during the event, and to the English Heritage site staff who were unstintingly helpful and supportive throughout.
Hearty thanks are also due to the local astronomical societies who brought along telescopes and binoculars and set up solar observing sessions outside the marquee during the day as well as night-time observing after dark. Andy Burns and the Wiltshire AS deserve a particular mention, having been present every day!
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Thanks! |
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[...Continued]
Tour guides will include archaeologists Andrew Lawson, Julian Richards, Mike Allen and Julie Gardiner, archaeoastronomer Clive Ruggles and astronomers Mark Bailey, Mike Edmunds and Derek McNally, as well as Ian Robson, who chairs the IYA2009 activities in the UK.
PLEASE NOTE that while all the guides’ services are provided for free, access to the monument, with or without these guides, will be subject to the normal site entrance charge,* unless you are booked in for the evening event. If you are on site at 16:00 you will be able to stay to watch the sunset (weather permitting!) before the site closes.
*For general visitor information about Stonehenge click here.
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Exhibition |
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“From Earth to the Universe”: A Special Exhibition
Along the side of the car park there was an open-air exhibition entitled “From Earth to the Universe”, a series of fantastic images of the Universe taken from ground and space-based telescopes. Further images could be seen in an adjacent marquee. Similar exhibitions have been made available at a variety of locations around the world as part of the global celebration of the International Year of Astronomy. For more information see the FETTU website.
The exhibition remained at Stonehenge after the event itself, through the Christmas and New Year break until Sunday January 3, 2010.
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Feedback |
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To all those who took part:
We would be very grateful if you could spare a few minutes to answer the attached questions and return your answers to Lara Maisey.
1. Do you feel that this event increased your appreciation of astronomy?
2. Do you feel that this event increased your appreciation of archaeology?
3. What would you have liked to see done differently?
4. What was the best aspect of the event for you?
5. Would you be interested in taking part in similar events in the future?
[Unsolicited feedback...]
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Feedback |
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[...Continued]
Some unsolicited feedback already received:
I would just like to say how much I enjoyed my time on the Stonehenge evening tour. It was a wonderful idea and lived up to all my expectations. It was a great privilege to have access to the stones, and to hear the experts talking was fascinating. Thanks to all involved.
Rebecca Sutherland Cooper
I just thought I would write to say how enjoyable the Saturday session was. The weather wasn’t perfect, but all things considered, could have been a lot worse. I understand evening openings are rare so hopefully you will be able to organise them again.
Glenn Bates
[Continued...]
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Feedback |
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[...Continued]
Could you please pass on my thanks to the organisers of the
Stonehenge Winter Solstice Event? We had an excellent memorable albeit coldish evening at Stonehenge last Friday. The sun illuminated the stones late afternoon against a dark
cloud back drop — perfection.
It was sad for the organisers that it clouded in at dusk but the ground
was hard underfoot so we were allowed into the circle to view the stones
close up. Incidentally the Stones were a good shelter belt — reducing
windchill. The 4 leaders gave excellent ‘illuminated’ talks.
We also appreciated the warm tent plus the displays by the various
societies present. The sunspots were an unexpected bonus.
Once again thanks.
Dave Bassett
[Continued...]
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Feedback |
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[...Continued]
Just a note to say a sincere ‘thank you’ to everyone involved with organising the Stonehenge visits. What a wonderful experience!
To share that evocative site with such patient, stoical (it was cold!) and knowledgeable guides was truly unique. I’m now inspired to discover more about Stonehenge and the universe!! Sadly, the skies were cloudy but the astronomers were very interesting to talk to and some of the images on display were magnificent.
Thankyou for a thoroughly enjoyable experience!
Dee Lewis
[Continued...]
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Feedback |
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[...Continued]
Just a message to you and to all the chaps and chapesses at RAS to say thanks. It was wonderful to have the opportunity to go on to the site after dark and take photos. Some of the talks were superb — especially from the bloke who did “Meet the Ancestors” (took me ages to remember where I had heard that voice) — even for those of us who just got on with picture taking.
Please pass it along to those who worked on this how grateful we were. One of the couples with us drove 4 hours to the event in snowy weather and still thought it was worth every second. Had to say thanks in case no one else did. It really was appreciated.
Can I humbly suggest the RAS support the idea of making this an event every 2 years?
Grant Privett
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Picture archive |
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If you have any pictures you would be happy to contribute to this archive, please e-mail them to Lara Maisey.
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