~ Top 10 Best Stargazing Places ~

[MysteRy]

Top 10 Best Stargazing Places

Watching the stars or the huge planets can be transformed into a very inspiring and captivating pastime during a trip to some remote place, for example. Indeed, the remote and the most isolated places are best for stargazing, because all you need is a clear sky without city lights, clouds or any other pollution. Moreover, if you want to enjoy a really unforgettable experience, you may need a powerful binocular or a telescope. However, there are many places around the world where you can take advantage of extremely tempting settings for watching the Universe. Thus, take a look at the Top 10 best stargazing places, which are real magnets for scientists, stargazers and many other celestial enthusiasts.


1. Atacama Desert   



Location: In northern Chile, to the west of the Andes and alongside the ocean coast. The Atacama Desert is definitely one of the best stargazing places, because of a number of factors. First, the desert covers a huge area of arguably the driest sandy landscape in the world. Especially the soil south of the village of Antofagasta contains such a sandy, salty and dry composition, that it is often compared to the landscapes of Mars. Moreover, the Atacama Desert is a very appealing place for star observation, thanks to its remote location from any highly-urbanized areas. With no lights and without broadcasting signals, you can enjoy one of the purest skies in the world. In addition, you can take advantage of two observatories - the La Silla Observatory and the Paranal Observatory.

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2. Yangtze River Valley   



Location: Nearly 4,000 miles in length, from Qinghai, central China to Shanghai, eastern China. The Yangtze River is the biggest river by length in Asia, while the Yangtze River valley is one of the most beautiful valleys in the world. Moreover, this scenic river forms three incredible gorges - the Qutang Gorge, the Wuxia Gorge and the Xiling Gorge, where the scenery is really spectacular. In addition, there is also a wide de variety of places, which are perfect for stargazing. Most of the remote and quiet areas offer a clear sky all day long. Thus, among the scenery of the valley, you can enjoy a relaxing picnic, for example, while the night sky might be your perfect pastime. Moreover, the sunrise and the sunset provide the best views to the biggest star in our solar system. The Yangtze River valley is also famous as a very favorable place for observation of a solar eclipse.

[MysteRy]

3. Tuscany, Italy   



Location: A huge region of the northern Tyrrhenian Sea coast, in central Italy. Among the mountain hills of the northern and central Apennines can be found numerous isolated areas, away from the noise and lights of the big cities. There, you can enjoy the mountain splendor at its maximums, while during the night you can take full advantage of the clear sky, dotted by countless stars. Especially during the cool winter months, the Tuscany hills are the best places for observation of the craters on the Moon. Even via a simple telescope, you can also see Jupiter. Indeed, Tuscany is most famous for the Italian astronomer Galileo Galilei, who observed the sky through a refracting telescope. Nearby the city of Florence you can come across the Arcetri Astrophysical Observatory, situated on the hill of Arcetri, where Galileo Galilei first enjoyed common astral phenomena.

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4. Kruger National Park, South Africa   



Location: The easternmost section of the province of Limpopo, South Africa. Kruger National Park is a flat and picturesque savanna, where the wildlife is everywhere - from the biggest elephants, to the low-growing red grass. The sunrises are speechless, because the sun`s rays pass through the canopy of the tallest trees and create a very distinctive horizon. Moreover, when the sun goes down, you can take advantage of an extremely pure sky, without any urban light. Arguably the best place for astral observation is the Olifants Camp. During a stargazing safari, the guides can show you all visible astral formations or planets. Also, the Milky Way can be observed through a telescope, while the Moon is fascinating.

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5. Haleakala National Park, HI, USA   



Location: Among the southeastern section of the island of Maui, Hawaii. Some of the highest parts of the area of the Haleakala National Park include many craters and volcanic peaks at nearly 10,000 ft. above sea level. Thus, the highest spots of the island transform the park into one of the best stargazing places in the world. During the night, all celestial enthusiasts can take advantage of a clear sky for observation of some of the most beautiful celestial bodies. Among the park are situated numerous shops, which offer rental binoculars, telescopes, star maps and other equipment. During a guided tour, for example, you can learn much more about the volcanos on the island and the craters on the moon, and when you look at the stars, you may think that they are little drops of rain.

[MysteRy]

6. Kiruna, Sweden   



Location: Among the northernmost part of Sweden, nearby the Luossavaara Mountain and the Arctic Circle. The Sub-Arctic climate offers a year-round cool temperature, while the remote location of any urbanized areas creates some of the purest skies in the world. Thus, nearby the village of Kiruna are situated numerous space research centers and other facilities, such as the Esrange Space Center and the ESTRACK Kiruna Station. Moreover, via binoculars you can enjoy a plenty of inspiring vistas to the night sky. There are so many stars and planets, which are magnets for stargazers, but another impressive phenomenon in the sky is the Aurora. When you look at the sky, the refreshing mountain air leaves you open-minded, while the dance of the northern lights offers a concoction of feelings for majesty, inspiration and captivation.

[MysteRy]

7. Sacramento Mountains, NM, USA   



Location: Nearby the city of Alamogordo, among the south central section of the state of New Mexico. The Sacramento Mountains are characterized by numerous steep slopes, also known as escarpments, which form a very impressive landscape. However, you can take full advantage of the night sky, thanks to an extremely pure air with no pollutions and no city lights. Here is located the Apache Point Observatory as well as the New Mexico Skies Observatories, where you can enjoy many astral phenomena at their maximums. Rent a high-powered binocular or a telescope and enjoy an unforgettable experience through the views of Orion, Venus or simply the Moon.

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8. La Fortuna, Costa Rica   



Location: A few miles east of the Arenal volcano, northern Costa Rica. The village of La Fortuna is another important stargazing place that you don't want to miss. Indeed, the biggest attraction here is one of the biggest and most active volcanos in the world - the Arenal volcano. Thanks to its frequent lava eruptions, the infinite blue sky is dominated by the white-orange lava running down the steep slopes of the volcano. Moreover, as night approaches, the night sky is dotted by numerous stars and astral objects, including the Magellanic Clouds galaxies, which are also visible. However, if you are lucky, you may enjoy the spectacular colours of a lava eruption, highlighted by the red sunset. Thereafter, the infinite stars are a very delicious food for the imagination.

[MysteRy]

9. Griffith Observatory, Los Angeles, CA, USA   



Location: Among the southern hill of Mount Hollywood, Los Angeles. The whole complex of the Griffith Observatory is a very interesting landmark in Los Angeles, because you can enjoy a plenty of astral objects and phenomena, right next to the city center. During a visit to the Griffith Observatory, you can come across the Samuel Oschin Planetarium and to enjoy three incredible shows. Also, many school programs and exhibits can reveal much more about the objects in the Universe, while the main telescope is so powerful that you can see clearly Venus, Mars or Saturn. Moreover, the Moon is definitely a spectacular object to witness. Then, outside the observatory, make sure to gaze into the night lights of Los Angeles. Overall, the Griffith Observatory is a very appealing place for celestial adventurers.

[MysteRy]

10. Stonehenge, UK   



Location: Nearly 2 miles west of the town of Amesbury, southern England. This is one of the best stargazing places in the world, because of a unique combination of history, culture and Universe. First, the fabulous and prehistoric construction of the Stonehenge monument is a very captivating sight to witness. The shapes and the colours of these iconic stones create a very inspiring view for the eyes, while the green and flat terrain creates a very picturesque environment. Moreover, it is strongly recommended to visit the Stonehenge monument during sunrise or sunset, when the sun`s rays magically pass through the strange forms of the stones and the formless clouds of the horizon. While during the night, when the night sky is fulfilled with countless stars, arguably the best way for captivation is to lie on the lawn and watch the sky.


The Top 10 stargazing places offer a unique experience. During a special trip to some of the biggest observation centers in the world or just an impromptu walk in the night, make sure to enjoy at least a few of the stargazing places mentioned. Thus, you can reveal much more about the secrets of the Universe and our planet.