If you live in a city, you probably can’t see many stars at night. Rather than a deep inky black, the sky may have an orange or pinkish glow from all the artificial lighting.
This view of the night sky is very different from what our ancestors enjoyed, before the advent of electricity. But even now, in more rural and isolated places, the night sky is just as brilliant as it must have been centuries ago. If you’ve never been to an area without light pollution, a trip to a dark sky preserve may be in order.
What Is a Dark Sky Preserve?
A dark sky preserve is just what it sounds like: a location that restricts artificial lights so that the night sky is fully visible. Naturally, these reserves are usually located in isolated areas far from large cities.
The International Dark Sky Association (IDA) works to identify and certify International Dark Sky Places, which include sanctuaries that protect the darkest places in the world, as well as cities and towns that have adopted outdoor lighting policies that reduce light pollution.
The IDA has named several U.S. national parks as International Dark Sky Parks, a mark of their lack of light pollution. These parks include Big Bend National Park in Texas, Death Valley National Park in California, and Great Basin National Park in Nevada, among others.
Of course, there are plenty of other places in the U.S. and around the world that may not be an officially designated dark sky reserve, but still offer excellent stargazing. Isolated areas in the high desert of the Western U.S., most of Alaska, and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan are all known for their dark skies.
Dark Skies in Southern Africa: NamibRand
If you’re looking for a dark sky a little further afield, you could do worse than NamibRand Nature Reserve, a privately owned nature reserve of red dunes, mountains, and plains in Namibia. It was founded in 1984 and is an IDA-certified Gold Tier Dark Sky Reserve—the first that the organization certified in Africa. With no human impact to cause light pollution and a dry climate, crystal clear skies offer a phenomenal opportunity to experience the night sky.
Located in southern Namibia, the private 494, 210-acre NamibRand Nature Reserve was established to protect and preserve the land and wildlife of the southwest Namib Desert. In the west, the reserve borders Namib-Naukluft National Park for more than 62 miles.
The Namib Desert
One of the oldest deserts on Earth, the Namib Desert stretches from the shores of the Atlantic Ocean in the west to the foothills of the Great Escarpment in the east. Extending more than 1,200 miles along the coast, it encompasses parts of Namibia, Angola, and South Africa. Near the ocean, vast areas of windswept sand dunes predominate, with scarcely any vegetarian to mar this great “sand sea.” The dunes are among the largest on the planet. In the eastern reaches of the Namib, the sand gives way to dusty, gravelly plains and rocky peaks pushing up toward the sky. Relatively few people live in this region, which makes for night skies littered with stars.
Activities and Accommodations at NamibRand
Due to the reserve’s private status and limited lodging, reservations are needed for all accommodations, which include chalets, farmhouses, lodges, and campsites. Regardless of where you decide to spend the night, you are guaranteed a spectacular view of the sky.
While you wait for nightfall to come, safaris, ranger-guided tours, cross-country vehicle expeditions, and hot air balloons are wonderful ways to enjoy the reserve during the day. Fees vary depending on the time of year, group size, and activity.
At night, guides with astronomy training are available to lead stargazing sessions. You can also simply walk outside and look upwards.
Benefits of Stargazing
Stargazing is a fantastic way to connect with nature in an awe-inspiring way. It’s hard not to feel amazed when you’re gazing upwards on a clear, moonless night without artificial light casting a dull glow. Infinite pinpoints of light shine down on you. Meteors streak across the sky. If you’ve never really seen a dark sky—plenty of people haven’t—you may be shocked by how many stars there are, and how close some of them appear.
Stargazing can also be a form of meditation, as it offers a way to escape stress and find peace. Staring up into the vastness of the cosmos, you may find yourself suddenly feeling very small, yet connected to the larger universe. From this perspective, your daily problems, trials, and tribulations may seem a bit less daunting and insurmountable.
Tips for Stargazing
A location without light pollution and clear skies are the most important factors when it comes to stargazing, and NamibRand has both these boxes checked. In addition, however, you may benefit from these tips:
- Beforehand, learn the constellations and planets and where they are located in the sky. It’s fun to spot them, especially for kids.
- A stargazing app can be helpful; there are plenty of apps out there that will help you identify constellations, stars, and planets. Some will give you the name of constellation or star as you move your phone across the sky.
- Take some time to focus on an individual star, perhaps a brilliantly strong one or one with a different color from those around it.