Travel to dark-sky locations

Finding dark spots where one can observe the night sky undisturbed—far away from light sources—is becoming increasingly difficult.

Forty years ago, one did not have to travel as far into remote areas as one does today.

Industrial zones illuminated around the clock, combined with the notion that lighting up every corner enhances safety, make it ever harder for astronomy enthusiasts to find a beautiful starry sky with a clearly visible Milky Way.

In Europe, dark locations with magnificent starry skies can still be found in remote rural areas, the high Alps, or on secluded islands.

Fortunately, an increasing number of "star park" projects are being established; these aim to prevent unnecessary and intrusive light sources—both within the parks and in their surrounding areas—through public awareness and education. In Baden-Württemberg, the "Swabian Alb Star Park" project has attracted attention.

Sichtbare Aufhellungen am Nachthimmel  von  beleuchteten Orten , mittig die Lichtglocke von Stuttgart

What can be seen through telescopes at dark-sky sites is described in my trip reports on dark-sky locations, which you can access above.