Colouring the South Downs National Park International Dark Sky Reserve

The South Downs National Park became the world’s newest International Dark Sky Reserve in May 2016. To celebrate this designation they asked us to create a giant night sky colouring mural for three astronomy themed family events in February.

Our illustration shows stargazers standing in the landscape of the South Downs surrounded by some of its native flora and fauna, including glow worms, badgers, foxes, may bugs, barn owls, tawny owls, horseshoe bats and privet hawk moths.

The astronomers look up into a sky filled with galaxies and constellations. on the moon some astronauts are larking about, in celebration of 2019 being the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission.

Through the sky there are planets, asteroids, comets, stars, the International Space Station, and artificial satellites to spot and colour!