The Best Places to Stargaze
Dark sky parks, picnic under the stars, star gardens, star huts. “Organised” stargazing experiences have not just been charming romantics of late. Designated night landscape protection areas are reducing light pollution, which benefits people, animals, and the environment. So where can you find these places where stargazing becomes a true experience?
Silence, the chirping of invisible crickets, clear air, darkness. And high above this peaceful natural setting: the overwhelming twinkling of the night sky. Our fascination with stars goes back thousands of years, featuring in countless stories about the gods and mankind. The mystery of the infinite world of stars, the questions of from where and why, and the search for the “higher power” have continued to occupy us. Astronomy – the oldest of the natural sciences.
The hype that surrounds stars today, however, has a different experiential value than it used to. Around 100 years ago, the invention of electricity and artificial light was a highly celebrated achievement, of course. Nowadays, appreciating the sky without light pollution is the exception and an undisturbed view of the stars thus something special, almost a privilege. The problem of light pollution is increasingly being addressed and there are noteworthy initiatives in Austria that are decreasing the levels of brightness after dark and creating regions to protect the night sky. And this is not just in the interest of stargazers …
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What Is a Dark Sky Park?
99% of the American and European populations no longer experience complete darkness at night. “A Dark Sky Park is a night landscape protection area in which light pollution is reduced to enable a clear view of the darkness and the beauty of the night sky.” DI Clemens Schnaitl, managing director of the nature park and coordinator for the Attersee-Traunsee Dark Sky Park, is passionate about the sparkling project that revolves around darkness.
You can still enjoy the darkness of the natural night in this region in the heart of the Salzkammergut, meaning clear views of the sky. Light pollution is hardly a problem here, thanks to numerous measures. The locals are encouraged to use “better light” which means: “Outdoors, light is directed to where it is needed, thus preventing upward radiation”, Schnaitl explains. “Gscheites Licht für eine naturnahe Nacht” (smart light for a natural night) is the motto of the project that Dr. Stefan Wallner, astrophysicist at the University of Vienna, scientifically supports.
Lights Out – Night Sky On!
No beam of light is left to chance in the Attersee-Traunsee region. Light sources are shielded to avoid stray light and there has been a shift towards environmentally friendly, warm white colours and switching off or dimming lights by night. The surrounding communities have committed to converting all further light sources in the Dark Sky Park to meet the necessary criteria within the next ten years.
This makes the region a star paradise, and indeed: once your eyes have got used to such darkness and you gradually see thousands of dots shining in the sky, you won’t be able to tear yourself away. Even if astronomy has long solved many mysteries, this sight of such natural beauty is quite humbling and magical, which feels at least as good as the thought of its sustainable benefits.
Go out into the night and look at the stars and you are free!
Stargazing In Gesäuse National Park
It has to be really dark in order to see the bright band of the Milky Way; a condition which is met in Gesäuse National Park and its towns of Admont, Johnsbach, Weng, Hieflau, Landl, and St. Gallen. The crystal clear night skies are thanks to the distance to the cities of Vienna, Graz, Salzburg, and Linz, meaning that light pollution is very low. Nights in the Gesäuse are among the darkest in Europe.
The national park offers themed stargazing excursions. So as not to disturb the wild animals in their nocturnal activity, there are guided tours around the Weidendom Visitor Centre or on the Buchauer Sattel. The area should not be explored alone.
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