The small island of Sark off the Guernsey coastline, which is the world's first Dark Sky Island, is gearing up for its bi-annual Starfest from 17th-19th October 2014. The astronomy focused weekend will be led by Dr Marek Kukula, a public astronomer at the Royal Observatory, Greenwich and Professor Chris Lintott, an astrophysicist at the University of Oxford and the main presenter on BBC series Sky at Night. Over the weekend there will be guided stargazing sessions and informative talks, all of which are free to attend.

Sark was recognised by the International Dark-Sky Association as the world's first Dark Sky Island in January 2011. The award was in recognition of the exceptional blackness of the night sky, attributed to Sark's geographical location in the English Channel, its complete lack of public street lighting and low pollution levels. Motorised vehicles, with the exception of a few tractors, are banned on the island so the air pollution is extremely low, which keeps the skies clear.

Stay at Stocks Hotel in the heart of the island where much of the activity takes place. A four night stay costs from £455 per person with Channel Islands Direct including accommodation, return flights from London Gatwick to Guernsey and ferry crossings from Guernsey to Sark.  For bookings: www.channelislandsdirect.co.uk/ 08444 937 095.   

The full festival programme will be available at: www.sark.co.uk  

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For further general information on Guernsey and its sister islands, please visit www.visitguernsey.com

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