A NEW Snowdonia Solar System Trail is to be launched in Blaenau on Thursday.

With funding from Arloesi Gwynedd Wledig and the Snowdonia Partnership Fund the trail was created by local children and artists Rachel Rosen and Andy Birch with the aim of highlighting the area’s designation as an International Dark Sky Reserve.

Planets will be placed at 10 different businesses across Gwynedd with the Sun at Shop Antur ‘Stiniog on the High Street in Blaenau Ffestiniog, with each piece of art teaching visitors more about that specific planet.

And as an interplanetary trail, people can also gain an understanding of the Solar System’s scale.

The trail will be launched at the Oakley Arms Hotel, Maentwrog on Thursday, at 6pm.

As well as a chance to learn more about the trail, there will also be a Dark Sky Wales telescope stargazing session.

There will also be a ‘Mars Mission Workshop’ which will put your design skills to the test!

This is a free event and is suitable for all ages, all that is needed are warm clothes and an interest in learning more about our magnificent dark sky.

Rachel Roberts from Arloesi Gwynedd Wledig said: “The Dark Sky status can create great economic benefit following the growing interest in astronomy. Astro-tourism has resulted in increased visits to Snowdonia during months that are outside the normal tourism season. This trail will add great value to this already flourishing market.”

Arloesi Gwynedd Wledig is one of Menter Môn’s LEADER programmes which looks for innovative solutions to the challenges facing the Gwynedd economy by piloting new initiatives.

The Snowdonia Solar System Trail project has received funding through the Welsh Government Rural Communities - Rural Development Programme 2014-2020, which is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the Welsh Government.

It’s also part funded by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority and Gwynedd Council.

See this week’s north editions, in shops and online on Thursday