KEEP your eyes to the skies this November.

This month hosts a variety of stargazing events in Dorset and promises to be a month full of spectacular sky delights.

This includes the Full Beaver Moon on the 12 November.

It is believed that November's Full Moon is named after the beaver due to it being the time that beavers become particularly active building their dens, working under the light of the Full Moon.

The moon is expected to be visible at around 1:34pm.

As well as the Full Moon, November is also host to the 2019 Leonid Meteor Shower.

This meteor shower typically occurs on November 17 or 18 as The Earth crosses the orbital path of Comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle.

The peak of the shower is expected to be from midnight to dawn on Monday 18 November, where in the absence of moonlight, up to 10 to 15 meteors per hour can be seen.

The early hours of the Monday morning is when Leonid's peak is anticipated.

Dorset is an ideal location to witness the shower, with open, country space readily available for those wanting to watch the annual spectacle.

Durlston Country Park will be holding a star-gazing event on the evening of 17 November, where you can watch out for the Leonid Meteors, star clusters, Saturn, various galaxies, nebulae and Autumn Constellations.

The event will begin at 7:30pm and finish at 9:00pm (weather dependent) in the Learning Centre.

You can book on their website https://www.durlston.co.uk/ or call 01929 424443 to confirm attendance.

£3 per person.

Moors Valley Country Park and Forest are also holding a special stargazing event.

This will take place on Saturday 30 November from 7:00pm to 9:00pm.

Local astronomer Stephen Tonkin will be leading an evening of guided observation using telescopes and binoculars.

The event is for 7 years and older, £5 per ticket and is essential that you bring along your binoculars and a torch for use in the car park.

All children must be accompanied by an adult and dogs are not allowed.

In the event of poor British weather making an appearance, there will be an indoor presentation and display on astronomy followed by questions and answers.

Visit https://www.moors-valley.co.uk/event/an-introduction-to-astronomy-30-nov-19/ to book or call 01425 470721.

If you're just looking for somewhere peaceful to watch the stars, here are a few alternative locations.

The New Forest National Park is an ideal location due to having a high percentage of dark skies with minimal light pollution.

Kingcombe Meadows and Powerstock Common is another good spot to keep your eyes to the skies.

Being set in the hills and vales of west Dorset, it is the darkest area, providing you with ample opportunity to see a variety of celestial wonders.

For more information on stargazing, visit darkskydiscovery.org.uk or gostargazing.co.uk.