Night stargazing tourism attracts tourists
Night stargazing tourism is becoming increasingly popular as light pollution continues to obscure night skies around the world. This trend is driving travelers to seek out remote locations where they can experience the natural beauty of the stars without the influence of artificial light.
A recent astronomy study revealed that the night sky is brightening by about 10% each year, making the Milky Way invisible to a third of the world’s population. Cheryl Chapman, Development Director at VisitScotland, shared that she had never seen a starry night with the scope of the Milky Way now clear when she moved to the remote Orkney Islands in Scotland. Orkney’s low population density means there is less light pollution, allowing residents and visitors to enjoy the sky in its natural glory. This is in stark contrast to the experience of city dwellers accustomed to artificial creation.
Light pollution has become a driving force behind the growing stargazing tourism industry. This form of tourism takes visitors to remote, sparsely populated areas, where the sky is flooded with stars of various colors and brightness, creating a sense of depth and allowing clear views of the Milky Way. . In these locations, artificial lighting is minimal and the stars are bright in the foreground.
North Ronaldsay, the northernmost island of the Orkney archipelago with a population of around 60 people, has been recognized by the International Dark Sky Association as having pristine skies free of light pollution. The island is a popular destination for nature lovers, boasting Iron Age ruins, the tallest mainland lighthouse in Britain and poisonous seaweed eaters. North Ronaldsay and the Orkneys also attract tourists with a passion for stargazing and Northern Lights viewing. The peak season for aurora viewing is from late September to April, and the growing popularity of aurora tours has led to the development of smart weather forecasting apps. The increase in aurora observation tours has led to a series of smart weather forecasting applications appearing. This application helps tourists check the days when the sky is less cloudy and has more stars, and also quite accurately predicts the day the aurora will appear, partly helping visitors proactively schedule special trips that only depart at night.
Mike Gere, owner of Jasper Photo Tours, which offers photo tours in Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada, believes these weather apps will enhance the listening experience. Star. Gere also notes that Jasper National Park is a top destination for stargazing enthusiasts. It is one of 27 sites designated by the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada as having pristine night skies and is the second largest dark sky preserve in the world. Jasper’s starry skies make it a popular spot for tourists, especially during the summer and fall months, and especially during the Jasper Dark Sky Festival, which this year takes place from October 13 to 23. The park doesn’t have a rotten night sky but still has exciting nightlife. “We occasionally encounter ungulates, usually worms and elk, during our excursions into the night sky. Occasionally, we may spot wolves, foxes or responding dogs grassland, but these bites are not too dangerous because the animals usually disappear when we shine the light,” Gere said.
A 2016 report by the Italian Institute of Light Pollution Science and Technology revealed that 60% of Europeans and 80% of North Americans cannot see the Milky Way due to artificial light. Some scientists also worry about the potential impacts on human health as the night sky becomes increasingly inaccessible to the naked eye, although specific impacts remain unclear.
As more and more people seek refuge from bright city lights to reconnect with the wonders of nature, stargazing tourism will continue its upward trajectory. Whether it’s the therapeutic benefits or the sheer awe of seeing the universe unfold above, stargazing provides an escape and a reminder of the vastness beyond our everyday lives.
