Whether we live in the heart of a big metropolis or not, the invasive effects of light pollution mean that many of us rarely have a chance to observe the stars in a clear night sky. Here then, we identify some of the best ‘dark sky’ locations in the world offering optimum star gazing opportunities.
By Bertie Alexander
Aoraki Mackenzie Dark Sky Reserve, New Zealand – This was the first International Dark Sky Reserve in the Southern Hemisphere, and today it remains the largest in the world, incorporating almost 1,700 square miles. A lot of different companies offer excellent tours throughout the reserve, visiting the best patches for night-time viewing, as well as informing visitors on how to best appreciate the world above us without a telescope. mtcooknz.com
NamibRand Nature Reserve, Southern Namibia – An official Night Sky Reserve, the park covers a staggering breadth of 600 square miles. Lighting on the ground has been modified and limited so as to preserve the purity of the night sky. The nearest point of urbanity from the nature reserve is a whopping 60 miles away, allowing for an unadulterated dark sky. namibrand.com
Sternenpark Westhavelland, Brandenburg, Germany – Sternenpark Westhavelland in Brandenburg is now offering the chance for busy Berliners to escape the bright lights and relish the night skies. This park is now Germany’s newest International Dark Sky Reserve as well as the largest protected area in the Federal State of Brandenburg. Considering the sprawl of Berlin, it is remarkable that the International Dark Sky Association (IDA), have been able to cordon of this stretch of clarity in the sky. sternenpark-westhavelland.eu
Bayerische Volkssternwarte München, Germany – Built in the 1940s, the Sternwarte houses four principal telescopes, offering visitors the chance to view in detail not only the moon, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn, but sightings of distant nebulae and star clusters, too. Tours and presentations occur on a regular basis, provided in both English and German. sternwarte-muenchen.de
Northumberland National Park, England – A section of the Northumberland National Park has been declared the largest ‘dark sky park’ in Europe by the International Dark-Sky Association. Here, only a few miles from the Scottish border, you can savour some of the most peaceful skies in Britain. Top viewings are held at the Kielder Observatory, a public astronomical observatory, which is located in the Kielder Forest within the park. northumberlandnationalpark.org.uk
Galloway Forest Park, Scotland – This was the first national park in the UK to gain Dark Sky status, back in 2009. Sprawling over 75,000 hectares, you are sure to find a peaceful spot to your liking. Consider renting bicycles and trying out the best mountain biking routes in Britain, when in search of the perfect spot. gallowayforestpark.com [Photo © Flickr user xlibber]
El Teide, Spanish Canary Islands – An active volcano and Spain’s tallest mountain (3,718m), El Teide considered one of the best stargazing spots on the planet. Some of the clearest skies in Europe are here, thanks to the breeze from the trade winds. Air traffic and light and radiation pollution are strictly regulated, allowing for optimum views. whc.unesco.org
Reykjavik, Iceland – Cheaper than Norway (slightly) and less foreboding than Lapland, Iceland’s astro-tourism is booming. With small and suave Reykjavik as your base, you can drive out in any direction when night falls for optimum and unspoiled views. In addition to the Milky Way, in Iceland you will also be able to catch a chance sighting of the neon green steam of the Northern Lights. visitreykjavik.is
Sisimiut, Greenland – Greenland is commonly cited as the best place in the world to see the Northern Lights. On any clear night in winter, you will be able to see the night sky ablaze with twinkling lights and luminous constellations. Rough and remote, getting to Sisimiut will be an adventure in itself, but one well worth the effort. greenland.com [Photo: Visit Greenland – Mads Pihl]
La Silla Paranal Observatory, Chile – It is believed that the Incas were more interested in the patches of darkness in between stars than the stars themselves. In Paranal, Chile today, it is the stars that are the centre of attention. Opened in 2013, the European Southern Observatory’s telescopes provide some fantastic images for avid stargazers. With a 360-degree view of the night sky, it is the best location for stargazing in South America. eso.org
Lake Titicaca, Peru – This is the world’s highest navigable lake, and hosts a variety of tribes who have lived on these shores for generations. Sunset is a spectacular sight over the turquoise lake, and once it has set you can look up to see Venus, Mars, Alpha Centauri and, eventually, the bright and twinkling stars of the cloudy Milky Way swirling across the night sky. laketiticaca.org
Picture Lake, Mount Baker, Washington, USA – Despite a faint orange glow of light pollution radiating from Seattle, Mount Baker offers wonderful opportunities for staring up at the Milky Way. The alpine vista provides a beautiful opportunity for an evening hike through the National Park on the way to your chosen spot for night-time gazing. fs.usda.gov
Yosemite National Park, California, USA – Either lying on the ground and looking up at the heavens in summer, or as a walking tour at other times of the year, at Yosemite National Park you will be able to view the California night skies at their best, while learning about the folklore that they inspired. nps.gov [Photo © Flickr user Justin Kern]
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