A LEADING light in dark skies will be landing in the region this autumn to officially launch a new community observatory.

Professor Chris Welch, who teaches at the International Space University in Strasbourg, will preside over the opening ceremony of the long-awaited Allen Valleys Community Observatory near Hexham on October 6.

Financed by the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Partnership, with a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, the venture will be a gateway to understanding more about the night skies above one of the darkest places in England.

The observatory is based at Allenheads Contemporary Arts and will become the focus of the AONB Partnership’s Dark Skies events programme, as well as a host of art projects and other astrological activities.

After the launch, Professor Welch, who is the vice president of the British Interplanetary Society, will be giving a talk called ‘Space – What is it Good For?’

This will examine the benefits of space exploration.

Tickets for Prof Welch’s talk are free but spaces are limited.

To secure a place, visit the AONB Partnership’s website northpennines.org.uk