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Scotland’s observatories teach us to see in the dark 
In June a major centre for stargazing in Scotland burnt to the ground, reminding us of the importance of making knowledge accessible to everyone, write ROX MIDDLETON, JOEL HELLEWELL and LIAM SHAW

GAZING at the stars has been the source of inspiration for poetry, fortune-telling and mapping since prehistory.

Although now divorced for most people from the act of stargazing, the origin of much of modern science, and much cultural practice, from horoscopes to religion, lies in the observation of the positions of stars and planets.

These features of the night sky, since there have been humans to wonder at them, have inspired and informed us forever.

A Dutch sailing handbook, 1608, showing compass, hourglass, sea astrolabe, terrestrial and celestial globes and astrolabe
The Hubble Telescope (Pic: Nasa/Creative Commons)
Fast moving clouds reflect light pollution from street lighting visible behind St Michael's Tower on Glastonbury Tor
Scottish Dark Sky Observatory (Pic: Dave Dubya / Creative Commons)
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