Gazing at the stars in Australia

THE southern hemisphere’s first and only Dark Sky Park is in the Warrumbungle region of NSW, #Australia renowned for its breathtaking starry nights. What is a dark sky park? #DarkSkyParks are recognised internationally for their outstanding nocturnal environment and clear, dark skies, says Dr James Gilbert, astronomer and engineer, Australian National University. “These are unspoilt places where anyone can marvel at the universe just by looking up, even without a telescope,” says Dr Gilbert. The Warrumbungle National Park is currently the only Dark Sky Park in the Southern Hemisphere.

For breathtaking views of the galaxy, you can camp under the stars in Warrumbungle National Park at various camping grounds and heritage huts. You can pitch a tent in Balor Hut campground or stay in a historic walkers’ hut. For a more rustic experience, Burbie Camp is a remote bush camping area neighbouring a natural spring with stunning views, while Camp Blackman is a popular base to explore the park and star gaze, well-equipped with hot showers, barbeques and picnic tables. www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au 

Warrumbungle Observatory, 9km from Coonabarabran at the foothills of the Warrumbungle Mountains, holds nightly viewing sessions and astro-photography sessions. www.tenbyobservatory.com 

Milroy Observatory has a popular Night Sky Show and also offers customised tours of all kinds for school groups, universities, senior citizens – even events such as birthdays and wedding proposals. www.milroyobservatory.com.au 

Siding Spring on the edge of the Warrumbungle National Park is a working research observatory with no public stargazing facilities, but they do offer daytime bookable experiences. www.sidingspringobservatory.com.au

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Get some perspective…

CAMPING DU BUISSON, located in #France near Grenoble, in the stunning surroundings of the Belledonne mountain range, offers not only great stargazing but the opportunity to sleep under the stars. 

Enjoy breathtaking night sky and uninterrupted views of the mountain range whilst suspended in a Boule Tree Tent. The tents are already set up with a rope ladder for access and can accommodate up to three people.

A prefect base for those with sport or adventure activities in mind from hiking, paragliding, climbing, mountain biking and wild swimming.

Prices start from £42.10 per night for up to three sharing with Pitchup.com.

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VisitScotland : To boldly glow..

SCOTTISH tourism is boldly going where few destinations have gone before, with its designated Dark Sky Communities proving a hit with stargazers. Now, VisitScotland hopes that Moffat’s designation as Europe’s first Dark Sky Town will add to the country’s astronomical allure.

In February, the Dumfries and Galloway town joined Coll, the first Dark Sky Island in Europe, and Galloway Forest Park, one of only four Dark Sky Parks in the western world, as one of the best places on earth to study the sky at night.

Another place to study the night sky is at the edge of Galloway Forest Park, where the Scottish Dark Sky Observatory in East Ayrshire is a four-star VisitScotland attraction.

A recent report estimates that the Dark Sky Park is taking in an additional £500,000 over the winter months purely related to dark sky tourism with the expectation for that to rise to around £1 million.

Keith Muir, head of Tourism & Communication at Forestry Commission Scotland, which owns the park, said: ‘The Dark Sky Rangers are now in place and beginning to get some trade, and more local accommodation providers are being affected by the increase in astro-tourism.’

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NZ by night …

FROM a vast Dark Sky Reserve above the Southern Alps to immense limestone cave systems lit by millions of glow worms, Tourism #NewZealand has rounded up some of the best night activities the country has to offer. 

Aurora Australis … The Aurora Australis or Southern Lights are particularly spectacular in New Zealand.  It’s not unusual to see this natural phenomenon in New Zealand’s deep south, and this year has seen some of the most vivid displays on record. The Aurora Australis is best viewed between March and September, but it can be viewed in all its glory – any day of the year – from the Otago Museum’s new planetarium in Dunedin. Cutting-edge technology is used to give visitors a close-up view of Aurora Australis without having to brave the midnight temperatures.  www.otagomuseum.nz

Stargaze at Aoraki Mackenzie dark sky reserve … New Zealand is home to one of just five international Dark Sky Reserves, a protected area of land possessing an exceptional quality of starry nights and nocturnal environment while also preserving the visibility of the night skies. Head to Aoraki Mackenzie, a dark sky reserve almost completely free of light pollution in the Mackenzie Basin in the South Island. Stargazing opportunities include guided tours of the solar system and visits to world-class observatories.  www.earthandskynz.com   

Spot the Kiwi … New Zealand’s most famous native bird, the kiwi, is nocturnal, so to catch a glimpse of these elusive birds, visitors are going to need a torch – and some guidance on where to find them. Try a night tour at Wellington’s Zealandia Sanctuary. The 555-acre valley provides routes suitable for everyone from wheelchair-users to regular hikers. The guided night tour allows visitors to explore the valley by torchlight while searching out some of the more distinctive sights and sounds of New Zealand’s bush.  www.visitzealandia.com

Paddle to the glow worms … Ten minutes from Tauranga city in the North Island’s Bay of Plenty region is Waimarino Adventure Park on the banks of the Wairoa river. Focused on the recreational activity of kayaking, Waimarino takes guests on guided night kayak tours to see the ethereal shine of thousands of glow worms.  www.waimarino.com

Creatures of the night in Rotorua … Canopy Tours in Rotorua has launched a unique night adventure. Creatures of the Night departs at dusk and takes explorers on a guided zip lining tour through a forest, where they discover a world of insects unique to New Zealand.  www.canopytours.co.nz

www.newzealand.com

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Where to catch the Northern Lights

AN alignment of the Earth and the Sun has caused beautiful displays of #auroraborealis, also known as the #NorthernLights, across parts of the UK. The natural phenomenon which causes a celestial light show in the night sky is likely to remain visible over areas of #Britain for the next few weeks.

Northern England, North Wales, and Scotland are said to be among the best potential viewing points in the UK, so Pitchup.com, an outdoor accommodation specialist, has compiled a guide to Northern Lights spotting from some of its best positioned sites.

Northumberland has been named as one of the area’s most likely to see the spectacular lights show. Pitch-up.com has wooden pods at the Border Forest Caravan Park in Otterburn, minutes from Kielder Observatory. The camping pod have electricity, heaters, and power sockets, and shared bathroom and kitchen facilities.

Northern Scotland is famously one of the best places to see the lights, and some beautiful photographs have recently been taken in Gamrie Bay in Aberdeenshire. A ten-minute drive away is Wester Bonnyton Farm where guests can stay in a three-bedroom holiday home which sleeps six.,

The skies are known to shine a green glow in East Lancashire, with beautiful scenes in the area of Pendle Hill recently. Experts think the lights will remain visible for weeks to come. Just minutes away is The White Stables in Bacup, where campers can pitch up on a non-electric grass pitch for just £10 per night. The pitch is suitable for motorhomes, caravans and tents for up to six guests.

Areas of North Wales have an increased likelihood of seeing the Northern Lights over the coming weeks due to coinciding space weather patterns and clear skies. There are luxury studio cabins at Wyldwoods Retreat in Powys.

www.pitch-up.com

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See the stars from Alice Springs

A SPACE observatory and private pods for #stargazing will be built at Earth Sanctuary in #AliceSprings, #Australia, with the help of a Northern Territory Government tourism infrastructure grant. 

Tourism Minister Adam Giles said the project aimed to capitalize on the emerging niche market of space discovery tourism and position Central Australia as one of the world’s leading stargazing destinations.

‘This grant will help Earth Sanctuary build a professional but modest observatory and private star pods that allow visitors to stargaze in a comfortable dome kitted with a double bed and private decking,” he said. “It is encouraging to see Earth Sanctuary working hard to position itself as a leader in providing a unique and sustainable tourism experience to not only Australians, but the rest of the world.’

Mr Giles said the Earth Sanctuary project follows a recent ‘Astronomeet’ that involved professional photographers and social media people coming together at Uluru to capture the night sky. ‘Projects and events like this promote the Northern Territory as a must-do holiday destination that is home to unique, world-class experiences and sends a message to holidaymakers: come for the stars, stay for a Red Centre adventure. It’s all part of the government’s plan to drive the development of North Australia and build an A$2.2 billion visitor economy by 2020.’

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Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/74101223@N00/7927534758">To Alice Springs via Tanami Road</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/2.0/">(license)

Book in for a star-gazing break

VISITORS to holiday cottages at Outchester and Ross near Bamburgh on the #Northumberland Coast this winter are in for a star-studded surprise. 

The owners have been fascinated by the array of stars visible in this part of coastal Northumberland for many years and are members of NASTRO (Northumberland Astronomical Society). As a bonus for their guests and for no extra charge, they have added a custom-built, star-gazing shelter, complete with sliding roof and a state-of-the-art 120mm Pro Refractor telescope.  Adults staying in the cottages can book their time slot and turn up to catch a glimpse of the heavens.

The telescope is so technically advanced that it can be programmed to look for a particular star or galaxy, and will automatically swivel to the optimum view point.

Because of the lack of light pollution in this part of Northumberland (Outchester and Ross are also in a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty), along with the #DarkSkyPark in West Northumberland, the area is considered one of the best places in England to spot the Milky Way, meteor showers, star clusters, and Orion. The Northumberland coast is also renowned as being one of the best spots outside Norway to see the #AuroraBorealis or Northern Lights.

If visitors prefer a less advanced telescope, two more telescopes are available, also at no extra charge. The 200mm Dobsonian and 60 Pentaflex telescopes are perfect for first time star gazers and relatively easy to use. 

There are 17 four- and five-star holiday properties in total at the coastal locations of Outchester and Ross, including the restored Ducket, a 65ft 18th century stone tower overlooking Holy Island. Three properties are dog-friendly. The cottages at Ross are walking distance of a beach where basking seals can sometimes be spotted. 

Outchester and Ross Cottages sleep from 2 – 6 people and prices range from £300 to £1,020 per property per week.

The owners also run Lindisfarne Oysters at Ross, where visitors can buy fresh oysters directly from the sea.

www.rosscottages.co.uk

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Stargaze on Sark

THE Dark Sky Island of #Sark is to open its first #observatory on October 10.  
The small Channel Island was designated as the world's first Dark Sky Island in 2011 by the International Dark-Sky Association and is now only one of two in the world. The award was in recognition of the exceptional blackness of the night sky which makes for spectacular stargazing on the island. The opening of the observatory aims to facilitate astro-tourism on Sark, and make it tangible for first timers as well as experienced stargazers.   

Sark's dark skies can be attributed to its isolated location in the English Channel, its complete lack of public street lighting (and very few outdoor lights on buildings), and low pollution levels. Motorized vehicles, with the exception of a few tractors, are banned on the island.

The observatory will be located in the middle of the island, which is the darkest area, and will be a two-room structure with a sliding roof. One room will house the telescope and the other will be a 'warm room' with a screen linked to the telescope.

The observatory will be opened on October 10 by Dr Marek Kukula, Public Astronomer at Greenwich Royal Observatory.

The opening of the observatory will tie in with a Sark Trek weekend (October 9-11) designed to make the most of the island's night skies. Hosted by two astronomers, it will involve 14 hours of learning and stargazing activities.

www.sastros.sark.gg 
www.sark.co.uk

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Where to see the stars

FUERTEVENTURA'S night sky has been designated the third Starlight Reserve in the #CanaryIslands, recognized as one of the best places to view stars without the interference of light pollution.

The Starlight Reserve concept was created in 2007, in co-operation with the World Heritage Centre through its #Astronomy and World Heritage initiative. The designation underlines a commitment to preserve the quality of the night sky and its associate values, whether they are cultural, scientific, astronomical, natural, or landscape-related.

Holidaymakers on #Fuerteventura can also enjoy more than 90 miles of sandy beaches and turquoise waters, vast natural landscapes, and year-round tropical temperatures.

http://visitfuerteventura.es/en

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See the stars in Wales

 WHERE'S the best place to go in the UK to stargaze? The answer could be Mid #Wales, where the dark skies and reduced light pollution are attracting global recognition. 

The Welsh region now has two areas that have achieved #InternationalDarkSky status.

The Elan Valley Estate, which stretches for 70 square miles from Rhayader westwards towards Aberystwyth, has becoming the world's first privately-owned yet publicly-accessed International Dark Sky Park.

The silver-tier status has been given by the International Dark Sky Association (IDA), based in Arizona. It means that the 45,000-acre estate is protected against light pollution, for the benefit of those who live and work there, as well as for visitors and wildlife found there.

The estate joins the Brecon Beacons National Park which is also been classified as an International Dark Sky Reserve. 

An application to the IDA is now being made for the Snowdonia National Park.

www.visitmidwales.co.uk



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Seeing stars

#TENERIFE has boosted its position as one of the best locations on the planet for stargazing, with the introduction of eight new telescopes at the Teide Observatory.

The recently-launched Volcano Life Experience operates guided tours several days a week to the observatory, which is also home to GREGOR, the largest solar telescope in Europe.

Located at 7,800ft above sea level and next to Mount Teide – Spain's highest peak at 12,100ft – Teide Observatory is perfect for studying stars at night due to its location, low-light pollution and clear night skies, which are protected by laws relating to contamination levels and flight paths. The observatory is in the Teide National Park, recognized as a Starlight Tourist Destination by the Starlight Foundation.

The largest island in the Canaries, Tenerife offers a huge choice of 'star tourism' experiences for visitors to enjoy on their island get-away. Those with an interest in outer space can learn about the important astrophysics research carried out at the observatory by joining a guided tour to see the stars and dazzling displays. Visitors can also tour the planetarium at the Museum of Science and the Cosmos in La Laguna, or stay overnight in a rural cottage or country hotel complete with a telescope. Mount Teide's cable car offers a Sunset and Stars stargazing trip, with a dusk-time dinner served at 6,500ft above sea level. 


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Study the stars under canvas

THE NATIONAL SPACE CENTRE has worked with glamourous camping specialist The Dandelion Hideaway to offer a Space Race experience. Camp out under the stars for an evening of astronomy, workshops, and craft sessions.

Book into one of the canvas cottages at The Dandelion Hideaway on the southern fringe of the National Forest for the weekend of June 5-6 and launch off into the Space Race Challenge. With expert help and guidance from National Space Centre staff, guests will be able to build and launch rockets, design a team mission, handle real space artefacts, and try space food. They will also be given a tour of the night sky, spotting satellites and looking at the planets Jupiter, Venus, and Saturn. 

The Dandelion Hideaway is a working farm, with luxury canvas cottages in the Leicestershire countryside and has just won the Bronze award in the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence for Self catering Holiday Provider of the Year - Well Done!

www.thedandelionhideaway.co.uk
www.spacecentre.co.uk
www.nationalforest.org

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Picture Credit: National Space Centre, Leicester geograph.org.uk - by Kate Jewell. Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons, Night Sky Stars Trees by Michael J. Bennett - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons