Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire’s connection with the night sky
14 October 2024
Lord Byron once said: ‘She walks in beauty, like the night. Of cloudless climes and starry skies.’
Perhaps the poet was inspired by the North-east’s epic nighttime skies, as a young Lord Byron spent his formative years in the city, before leaving Scotland in 1798.
Only a few years later, in 1805 Johann von Lamont was born in Braemar, who later became a professor of astronomy at Munich University in 1852 and is noted for his creation of a ‘star catalogue’ listing all the lights in the night sky. His research into the Earth's magnetic field was eventually linked to the solar cycle and the Northern Lights, and even has craters named after him on the Moon and Mars. `
Sir David Gill, who took the first photograph of the moon in 1868 with George Washington Wilson, was born in Aberdeen. A watchmaker by day and astronomer by night, Sir David dedicated his life to making measurements of stars and planets.
James Clerk Maxwell, known for the formulation of electromagnetic theory, is a famous University of Aberdeen alumni. Historically, the region’s cleverest minds have shaped the way we see the stars forever.
Step outside. Look up. Take it all in. Embrace Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire’s offering this winter and sample our Northern Nights for yourself.
If you are lucky enough to witness the regions dark beauty this winter, don't forget to share it with us! Tag @VisitABDN or use our hashtags #NorthernNights, #VisitABDN or #BeautifulABDN for a chance to feature on our social channels!