In this week's episode, Elinor chats to Dr. Christopher Barnes, a chartered psychologist conducting and supervising doctoral research in the areas of parenting, child development and nature connection.

Following his own 'dark skies epiphany', Dr. Barnes began combining his academic research on child development and nature connectiveness with connectiveness to the night sky.

Together, Elinor and Dr. Barnes discuss the 'Five Pathways' to nature connectedness, with Dr. Barnes sharing fresh insights on recent studies to how our ability to see the night sky impacts our health and wellbeing.

Remember, if you have a question, comment or suggestion, please email embracethedarkness@southdowns.gov.uk

#SouthDowns #NightSky #DarkSkies #EmbraceTheDarkness #Astronomy #Space #Health #Wellbeing #Glimmers #Mindfulness

Thank you for listening to ‘Embrace the Darkness’, presented by Elinor Newman.

The podcast is recorded and produced by the South Downs National Park Authority from the South Downs International Dark Sky Reserve.

Music is Orbit by D0d, direct from Uppbeat.

To find out more about the South Downs International Dark Sky Reserve, including the best places to stargaze, go to www.southdowns.gov.uk/DarkSkies

On this week's episode, Elinor is joined by Mark Westmoquette, astrophysicist, Zen yoga teacher, author and 'mindful stargazer.'

Knowledgeable and insightful, Mark shares with Elinor his journey from focusing purely on the science of the cosmos, to embracing the deeper relationship people can have with the universe and their place within it.

The conversation spans from Mark's early career as a researcher, his time observing the dark night skies of St. Helena in the South Atlantic, and using mindfulness techniques to ground ourselves when in darkness, even under cloudy skies.

Mark even shares a mindful stargazing exercise you can try for yourself!

Remember, if you have a question, comment or suggestion, please email embracethedarkness@southdowns.gov.uk

#SouthDowns #NightSky #DarkSkies #EmbraceTheDarkness #Astronomy #Space #Health #Wellbeing #Glimmers #Mindfulness

Thank you for listening to ‘Embrace the Darkness’, presented by Elinor Newman.

The podcast is recorded and produced by the South Downs National Park Authority from the South Downs International Dark Sky Reserve.

Music is Orbit by D0d, direct from Uppbeat.

To find out more about the South Downs International Dark Sky Reserve, including the best places to stargaze, go to www.southdowns.gov.uk/DarkSkies

In this episode Elinor takes a night time stroll across Iping Common with South Downs Health and Wellbeing Officer, Kate Drake.

A Dark Sky Discovery Site, Iping Common is not only one of the best places to view the night sky, it is also a great location to connect with wildlife and nature, especially nocturnal critters.

On this walk, Kate and Elinor chat about their experiences of spending nights alone under the stars, controlling their fears of the darkness and finding 'glimmers' - the small, positive moments in our every day lives that bring comfort and joy.

Remember, if you have a question, comment or suggestion, please email embracethedarkness@southdowns.gov.uk

#SouthDowns #NightSky #DarkSkies #EmbraceTheDarkness #Astronomy #Space #Health #Wellbeing #Glimmers

Thank you for listening to ‘Embrace the Darkness’, presented by Elinor Newman.

The podcast is recorded and produced by the South Downs National Park Authority from the South Downs International Dark Sky Reserve.

Music is Orbit by D0d, direct from Uppbeat.

To find out more about the South Downs International Dark Sky Reserve, including the best places to stargaze, go to www.southdowns.gov.uk/DarkSkies