The Dark Sky Pilgrimage: The World’s Best Astrotourism Spots
By: Ranim Elgabakhngi
Most of us live under a permanent yellow haze, caused by streetlamps and the glow from skyscrapers that has made the Milky Way all but invisible to us. Besides, to see the universe as our ancestors did, you have to leave all that neon behind, heading into the wilderness to find some truly dark skies. Astrotourism is the pursuit of those who want to escape civilization and take a peek at what our ancestors might have seen.
Aoraki Mackenzie, New Zealand
Nestled within New Zealand’s South Island, this enormous tract of land is protected by strict lighting ordinances to prevent stray photons from drowning out the Milky Way. In addition, standing in the heart of it all, gazing up at the skies of the south, is almost humbling. The heart of the Milky Way practically dips over your head, casting just enough shadow to make the constellations around it appear bright, bold, and beautiful.
Kerry International Dark Sky Reserve, Ireland
Bounded by the rugged mountains of the Iveragh Peninsula and the furious Atlantic Ocean, Kerry offers up a unique dark sky experience, one without light pollution from major cities, as there are none in between this island and North America. Additionally, the ceaseless roar of the Atlantic while reading the signs above your head, taken from a sky that is exceptionally clear and as black as the ink from a well-used pen.
Alqueva, Portugal
Stretching over the Alentejo plains, Alqueva is a discovery of horizons opened to tourism and a commitment by the local community not to allow light pollution to take over the region. On clear nights, the Zodiacal Light is reflected by the waters of the Alqueva reservoir, creating an ethereal atmosphere of unearthly beauty where the world seems to dissolve into the sky.
Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve, USA
Covering over a million acres of rugged wilderness, this chunk of Idaho is wonderfully isolated. Only the hard-to-development terrain makes it impossible for many people to live in the region, as both electricity and cell phone reception are unavailable in the area. Furthermore, It is a throwback to the wilderness, where you can pitch a tent at the shore of a quiet alpine lake while enjoying shooting stars streak across an untouched canopy.
Chasing down dark skies transforms one’s perception of his or her place in the universe. With a world full of glowing screens and artificial lighting, the opportunity to stand underneath a vast canopy of naturally glowing stars is something that should not be overlooked. Moreover, there is a certain peace that comes with these dark, star-filled retreats, and they are a gateway to something greater that lies just outside the atmosphere and beyond.
