Astronomy can be a very lonely and antisocial hobby. Even if you’re a stargazer from a town or a city with an astronomical society and regularly attend meetings and observing nights, you’ll still spend a lot of time on your own, standing in the dark, looking at the night sky with just a radio or the cows in the next field for company. Some people like it that way. In fact, they prefer being a solo astronomer to being in a group. For them, a huge part of the appeal of the hobby is the opportunity to have precious time on their own, far away from the noise and hubbub of everyday life. They relish their special nights out in the dark, with no one and nothing to disturb them, savouring the unique peace and quiet offered by a night under the twinkling stars.
But for those astronomers who do want company and want to share the beauty of the night sky with others, there are special organised events they can go to. These events are held once or sometimes twice a year, and
