Our readers recommend the best places to soak in the night sky.
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The Milky Way above an expedition campsite in the Okavango Delta.
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By Kelly Barrett, National Geographic
The beautiful thing about staring off into the skies is that you can do so from any continent. However, the best sites to stargaze share a few qualities in common: they feature low light pollution, they’re at a higher altitude, and they are framed by fascinating landforms that illuminate under a brilliant night sky.
We are lucky to live on a planet where so many places fit these criteria, so we recently asked our social community to weigh in with their favorite places to stargaze. Each of these sites will offer their own unique perspective of the night sky, from staggering views of the Milky Way in North America, to striking sights of the Southern Cross constellation in Australia amid a dreamy landscape. It’s impossible for us to pick a favorite, perhaps you’ll just have to visit them all and decide for yourself.
The beautiful thing about staring off into the skies is that you can do so from any continent. However, the best sites to stargaze share a few qualities in common: they feature low light pollution, they’re at a higher altitude, and they are framed by fascinating landforms that illuminate under a brilliant night sky.
We are lucky to live on a planet where so many places fit these criteria, so we recently asked our social community to weigh in with their favorite places to stargaze. Each of these sites will offer their own unique perspective of the night sky, from staggering views of the Milky Way in North America, to striking sights of the Southern Cross constellation in Australia amid a dreamy landscape. It’s impossible for us to pick a favorite, perhaps you’ll just have to visit them all and decide for yourself.
Arches National Park, Utah
As a photographer, I’ve seen the sky glitter around the world including Tasmania, Australia, where I live. But, Arches National Park was hands down the best place for stargazing as you see the stars with unique and natural rock formations (arches) perfectly framing stars. That adds a whole new layer of visual interest in the spectacle of stargazing. – Nipun Nayyar
Uluru, Australia
They do an incredible dinner under the stars with an astronomer who gives you information about the night skies after dinner. Plus, it is where my husband proposed to me. So, it holds a special place in my heart. – Bente Humphrey
Cresta de Gallo Island, Philippines
No electricity, no cellphone signal…There I felt like the Earth was covered in a pitch black blanket and someone poked holes all over. The stars, man. I've never felt so tiny and so free at the same time. I was literally looking out into the universe. No clouds or sunlight in the way, just looking out into what's outside. For a minute, I felt like I'd fall off the Earth and float off into the universe. – Jaya Shrii Daguman
Cordoba, Argentina
Out on the ranch, with no electricity, far away from civilization. The Southern Cross is magnificent; the frogs singing to the night was the only sound ... ah! Now I'm really nostalgic. – Patricia Barbero
Botswana
No light pollution and the Milky Way and southern cross are fabulous. – Kathryn Stewart
Sørensen, Norway
In the middle of winter, during the civil polar night from the 14th of November till the 29th of January. With the sun well below 6°C of the horizon, the world turns completely black and sky comes alive with stars. The amount of satellites you can see on a clear night is astonishing, 100 per hour wouldn't surprise me. Occasionally auroras will add to the beauty. A short drive just past the seed vault will land you on a little mountain side, away from the light pollution of the town. highly recommendable spot for stargazing and ice cream eating. Just remember the big coats. – Tim Hoff-Lund
See more at: National Geographic
