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Dark Skies: A Practical Guide to Astrotourism
Witnessing the sweep of the Milky Way, the remains of comets burning up in our atmosphere, or the shimmering aurora, we better understand the universe and our place in it. Lonely Planet's
Dark Skies
, the first world's guide to astrotourism, can help you experience all of this and more first-hand.
Meticulously researched by dark sky expert Valerie Stimac, this comprehensive companion includes guides to 35 dark-sky sites and national parks, where to see the aurora, the next decade of total solar eclipses and how to view rocket launches, plus the lowdown on commercial space flight, observatories and meteor showers.
Dark Skies is divided into sections to help you plan your dark sky tour:
Stargazing focuses on the basics of appreciating the dark sky, with an overview on how to stargaze and what types of objects to look for, as well as tips for the urban stargazer.
Dark Places is devoted to 35 of the best places around the globe for stargazing and experiencing the night sky, including sites designated by the Dark Sky Association.
Astronomy in Action features some of the world's top research facilities and observatories,where you can get a closer look at space science.
Meteor Showers has everything you need to know about the most consistent and impressive meteor showers that happen annually.
Aurora is divided into two parts, one focusing on the aurora borealis in the northern hemisphere and the other on the aurora australis in the southern hemisphere.
Eclipses follows the schedule of total solar eclipses over the next decade. If you've never experienced totality, here is your definitive guide to planning your trip.
Launches helps you experience a different side of astrotourism: rocket launches and the countries that allow you to travel to see them.
Space Tourism discusses the future of humans in space - including you! The major players in the evolving space tourism market are detailed, plus the world's most common destinations and experiences.
About Lonely Planet: Lonely Planet is a leading travel media company and the world's number one travel guidebook brand, providing both inspiring and trustworthy information for every kind of traveller since 1973. Over the past four decades, we've printed over 145 million guidebooks and grown a dedicated, passionate global community of travellers. You'll also find our content online, on mobile, video and in 14 languages, 12 international magazines, armchair and lifestyle books, ebooks, and more.
Meticulously researched by dark sky expert Valerie Stimac, this comprehensive companion includes guides to 35 dark-sky sites and national parks, where to see the aurora, the next decade of total solar eclipses and how to view rocket launches, plus the lowdown on commercial space flight, observatories and meteor showers.
Dark Skies is divided into sections to help you plan your dark sky tour:
Stargazing focuses on the basics of appreciating the dark sky, with an overview on how to stargaze and what types of objects to look for, as well as tips for the urban stargazer.
Dark Places is devoted to 35 of the best places around the globe for stargazing and experiencing the night sky, including sites designated by the Dark Sky Association.
Astronomy in Action features some of the world's top research facilities and observatories,where you can get a closer look at space science.
Meteor Showers has everything you need to know about the most consistent and impressive meteor showers that happen annually.
Aurora is divided into two parts, one focusing on the aurora borealis in the northern hemisphere and the other on the aurora australis in the southern hemisphere.
Eclipses follows the schedule of total solar eclipses over the next decade. If you've never experienced totality, here is your definitive guide to planning your trip.
Launches helps you experience a different side of astrotourism: rocket launches and the countries that allow you to travel to see them.
Space Tourism discusses the future of humans in space - including you! The major players in the evolving space tourism market are detailed, plus the world's most common destinations and experiences.
About Lonely Planet: Lonely Planet is a leading travel media company and the world's number one travel guidebook brand, providing both inspiring and trustworthy information for every kind of traveller since 1973. Over the past four decades, we've printed over 145 million guidebooks and grown a dedicated, passionate global community of travellers. You'll also find our content online, on mobile, video and in 14 languages, 12 international magazines, armchair and lifestyle books, ebooks, and more.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2019
13 people are currently reading
338 people want to read
About the author
Lonely Planet
3,657 books882 followersOUR STORY
A beat-up old car, a few dollars in the pocket and a sense of adventure. In 1972 that’s all Tony and Maureen Wheeler needed for the trip of a lifetime – across Europe and Asia overland to Australia. It took several months, and at the end – broke but inspired – they sat at their kitchen table writing and stapling together their first travel guide, Across Asia on the Cheap. Within a week they’d sold 1500 copies and Lonely Planet was born. One hundred million guidebooks later, Lonely Planet is the world’s leading travel guide publisher with content to almost every destination on the planet.
A beat-up old car, a few dollars in the pocket and a sense of adventure. In 1972 that’s all Tony and Maureen Wheeler needed for the trip of a lifetime – across Europe and Asia overland to Australia. It took several months, and at the end – broke but inspired – they sat at their kitchen table writing and stapling together their first travel guide, Across Asia on the Cheap. Within a week they’d sold 1500 copies and Lonely Planet was born. One hundred million guidebooks later, Lonely Planet is the world’s leading travel guide publisher with content to almost every destination on the planet.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
March 21, 2020
Well designed book. Great choice of topics to cover. Very objective in all the recommendations. The list of places to travel could keep me busy for a LONG time. Dark Skies, Observatories, Research Facilities, etc. I wish it was taller/wider than its 9x9 inch or so size.
Contents:
TOC - good details
Foreword by Phil Plait - great choice! True enthusiam.
Intro by Valerie Stimac - short, with emphasis on returning to dark skies
2-page "How to Use this Book" - quite helpful. These are well chosen, appropriate choices for the goal of this book.
- stargazing - basics. Points to some websites and publications. Good choices
- Dark Places - 35 from around the globe
- Astronomy in Action - telescopes and research facilities you can visit
- Meteor Showers
- Aurora
- Eclipses
- Launches
- Space Tourism
Contents:
TOC - good details
Foreword by Phil Plait - great choice! True enthusiam.
Intro by Valerie Stimac - short, with emphasis on returning to dark skies
2-page "How to Use this Book" - quite helpful. These are well chosen, appropriate choices for the goal of this book.
- stargazing - basics. Points to some websites and publications. Good choices
- Dark Places - 35 from around the globe
- Astronomy in Action - telescopes and research facilities you can visit
- Meteor Showers
- Aurora
- Eclipses
- Launches
- Space Tourism
December 18, 2022
I've always loved stargazing, and Dark Skies - A Practical Guide to Astrotourism by Valerie Stimac and Lonely Planet was given to me by my husband for Christmas in 2020. Given some of the celestial events have dates attached (lunar and solar eclipses for example), I thought I'd better read this before another Christmas passes me by and it's still on the shelf.
Dark Skies is very much a Lonely Planet guide to astrotourism; a new term for me.
It's broken down into the following chapters:
Stargazing
Dark Places
Astronomy in Action
Meteor Showers
Aurora
Eclipses
Launches
Space Tourism
I was most interested in the Dark Places, Meteor Showers and Eclipses chapters, but they're all very interesting and comprehensive given what's on offer.
Another new-to-me word is archaeoastronomy and I enjoyed learning about it in the chapter on Dark Places:
"Archaeoastronomy, the so-called 'science of stars and stones,' is the interdisciplinary study of how ancient cultures used the night sky as part of culture and society - including in construction. Sites like Stonehenge in England and Chichen Itza in Mexico are among the locations of interest to archaeoastronomers, since they seem to be aligned with celestial events such as equinoxes and solstices. Archaeoastronomers use material remains to examine how ancient cultures related to phenomena in the sky." Page 95
What a fascinating area of science!
It was also interesting to read that the next total solar eclipse visible from Australia and New Zealand takes place on 22 July 2028, with Sydney being in the path of totality. The entire eclipse will take 2.5 hours and totality in Sydney will last a maximum of 3 minutes and 58 seconds. To enjoy the maximum 5 minutes and 10 seconds, enthusiasts will need to travel to rural Australia.
Light pollution - and seeking locations free of it - was a continual theme in Dark Skies, and that's to be expected. I also noticed an optimism that an increase in astrotourism will inevitably result in a greater appreciation and respect for the environment and a subsequent shift in thinking towards how we treat the planet. There's much we can do to reduce night time light pollution (for which our native habitats will be grateful), and I enjoyed that the book closed with:
"If astrotourism helps more people protect our amazing home planet, the future will be bright.... and the night skies will be dark and full of stars." Page 283
It definitely reminded me of the alternate phrase from Game of Thrones "The night is dark and full of terrors."
Dark Skies very much feels like a Lonely Planet guide, and while I've only read two (Kenya and Hawaii) this was a familiar format. As in those two books, you need to break up the reading of a Lonely Planet guide within your regular reading schedule. Some of the content is dry and after a while, the consistent format can become repetitive and dull. Thankfully some amazing photographs remind the reader of the power and wonder of the night sky and the universe beyond.
Dark Skies is a valuable resource that will quickly date; as with all Lonely Planet books.
Dark Skies is very much a Lonely Planet guide to astrotourism; a new term for me.
It's broken down into the following chapters:
Stargazing
Dark Places
Astronomy in Action
Meteor Showers
Aurora
Eclipses
Launches
Space Tourism
I was most interested in the Dark Places, Meteor Showers and Eclipses chapters, but they're all very interesting and comprehensive given what's on offer.
Another new-to-me word is archaeoastronomy and I enjoyed learning about it in the chapter on Dark Places:
"Archaeoastronomy, the so-called 'science of stars and stones,' is the interdisciplinary study of how ancient cultures used the night sky as part of culture and society - including in construction. Sites like Stonehenge in England and Chichen Itza in Mexico are among the locations of interest to archaeoastronomers, since they seem to be aligned with celestial events such as equinoxes and solstices. Archaeoastronomers use material remains to examine how ancient cultures related to phenomena in the sky." Page 95
What a fascinating area of science!
It was also interesting to read that the next total solar eclipse visible from Australia and New Zealand takes place on 22 July 2028, with Sydney being in the path of totality. The entire eclipse will take 2.5 hours and totality in Sydney will last a maximum of 3 minutes and 58 seconds. To enjoy the maximum 5 minutes and 10 seconds, enthusiasts will need to travel to rural Australia.
Light pollution - and seeking locations free of it - was a continual theme in Dark Skies, and that's to be expected. I also noticed an optimism that an increase in astrotourism will inevitably result in a greater appreciation and respect for the environment and a subsequent shift in thinking towards how we treat the planet. There's much we can do to reduce night time light pollution (for which our native habitats will be grateful), and I enjoyed that the book closed with:
"If astrotourism helps more people protect our amazing home planet, the future will be bright.... and the night skies will be dark and full of stars." Page 283
It definitely reminded me of the alternate phrase from Game of Thrones "The night is dark and full of terrors."
Dark Skies very much feels like a Lonely Planet guide, and while I've only read two (Kenya and Hawaii) this was a familiar format. As in those two books, you need to break up the reading of a Lonely Planet guide within your regular reading schedule. Some of the content is dry and after a while, the consistent format can become repetitive and dull. Thankfully some amazing photographs remind the reader of the power and wonder of the night sky and the universe beyond.
Dark Skies is a valuable resource that will quickly date; as with all Lonely Planet books.
November 26, 2019
This was a very timely read for me as we plan next year's vacation to coincide with the Grand Canyon's star party. This little book was filled with amazing pictures and wonderful vacation ideas if you are at all interested in astronomy or (like me!) the aurora. There are also chapters on the various regular meteor showers and their best viewing times/places, the future total solar eclipses and their totality zones and the future of space tourism/travel. I will definitely be revisiting this book when I plan a vacation to see the aurora.
May 29, 2025
Ohhhhhhh how I want to stargaze in every one of these places. I didn’t even know about half of these parks and sanctuaries, and in countries I wouldn’t have even thought about!
God, even the photos in this book are stunning. I’m taking off a star for how bitter it made me that I’m not able to go to these places now.
God, even the photos in this book are stunning. I’m taking off a star for how bitter it made me that I’m not able to go to these places now.
January 24, 2020
This book offers tips on places to go for the space-oriented tourist, whether as a primary or secondary goal of travel. Such places include dark sky locations (parks) and observatories, as well as locations to see meteor showers, auroras, eclipses, and space launches. Each place is usually described in a short two-page section, which includes beautiful photographs and helpful web site addresses.
These are intended more to inspire than inform, and Stimac's prose tries to capture some of the charms and watch-outs for each location. For example, the description for Headlands International Dark Sky Park in Michigan includes gentle cautions around bringing plenty of bug spray in the summer and warm clothing in the winter, good advice for northern Michigan. Ironically, given that the mantra of this hobby is "Clear skies," the picture they chose to include of the Mackinac Bridge in daytime shows typical weather familiar to this native Michigander and probably most others: "mostly cloudy."
The book itself is certainly handsomely produced. It has some sort of rubberized finish to the cover and spot varnishes, and inside plenty of photographs accompany in the sans serif text, which is small and hard to read but looks nice. I comment on appearance because these choices make the book appear like the kind that one might be inclined keep on a living room end table, more for display than reading. There's a tactile joy in holding this book, flipping through it, and simply looking at it.
As to its contents, it's more of a reference book, and so ideal for libraries, where I might pick it up again if, in the course of my travels to somewhere like Hungary or Namibia, I might also want to spend an evening looking at stars there. Or, one might enjoy flipping through this time from time when bored and looking for an escape; the stars and thoughts of space travel are always good for that. It's certainly small enough to keep in a bathroom or night stand, for casual and occasional reading.
Less useful is the general advice on stargazing -- there are whole books on that -- and the section on astrotourism, the prices for which are simply astronomical. Given the concerns around environmentally friendly tourism (not addressed in this, as far as I could tell), it may be better to see this book as a guide for local places to go near you. High on my list now are Cherry Springs Park, PA and Mont-Megantic in Quebec, two out-of-the-way places I wouldn't have heard about, probably, without being introduced to them here. Readers may find similar places close to them, or far, depending on their budgets and inclinations.
These are intended more to inspire than inform, and Stimac's prose tries to capture some of the charms and watch-outs for each location. For example, the description for Headlands International Dark Sky Park in Michigan includes gentle cautions around bringing plenty of bug spray in the summer and warm clothing in the winter, good advice for northern Michigan. Ironically, given that the mantra of this hobby is "Clear skies," the picture they chose to include of the Mackinac Bridge in daytime shows typical weather familiar to this native Michigander and probably most others: "mostly cloudy."
The book itself is certainly handsomely produced. It has some sort of rubberized finish to the cover and spot varnishes, and inside plenty of photographs accompany in the sans serif text, which is small and hard to read but looks nice. I comment on appearance because these choices make the book appear like the kind that one might be inclined keep on a living room end table, more for display than reading. There's a tactile joy in holding this book, flipping through it, and simply looking at it.
As to its contents, it's more of a reference book, and so ideal for libraries, where I might pick it up again if, in the course of my travels to somewhere like Hungary or Namibia, I might also want to spend an evening looking at stars there. Or, one might enjoy flipping through this time from time when bored and looking for an escape; the stars and thoughts of space travel are always good for that. It's certainly small enough to keep in a bathroom or night stand, for casual and occasional reading.
Less useful is the general advice on stargazing -- there are whole books on that -- and the section on astrotourism, the prices for which are simply astronomical. Given the concerns around environmentally friendly tourism (not addressed in this, as far as I could tell), it may be better to see this book as a guide for local places to go near you. High on my list now are Cherry Springs Park, PA and Mont-Megantic in Quebec, two out-of-the-way places I wouldn't have heard about, probably, without being introduced to them here. Readers may find similar places close to them, or far, depending on their budgets and inclinations.
July 19, 2020
See my full review here.
This lovely little guide may be the perfect gift for those who have spotted the comet NEOWISE or enjoyed the spectacular views of Venus, Jupiter and Saturn this month. Making stargazing a part of your travel planning is easy peasy with this new title, which covers everything from equipment to night sky basics, and teases you with appealing destinations for exploring the universe from anywhere on Earth. Highly recommended, though the poor binding and mediocre index pushed it from a five to a four-star rating. Thanks to the Grand Forks & District Public Library for including this title in its nonfiction collection.
This lovely little guide may be the perfect gift for those who have spotted the comet NEOWISE or enjoyed the spectacular views of Venus, Jupiter and Saturn this month. Making stargazing a part of your travel planning is easy peasy with this new title, which covers everything from equipment to night sky basics, and teases you with appealing destinations for exploring the universe from anywhere on Earth. Highly recommended, though the poor binding and mediocre index pushed it from a five to a four-star rating. Thanks to the Grand Forks & District Public Library for including this title in its nonfiction collection.
January 8, 2020
Great overview covering all aspects of astro tourism except maybe a chapter cruise-based viewing could have been added. The last part of the book may be the most interesting as it presents dark sky viewing from the ultimate location which is extra terrestrial. The section on upcoming eclipses (lunar and solar) is particularly useful though will need eventually to be updated as the dates pass after the 2020's. In the updated version, the author could also include a concise list of tour operators that are involved in this aspect of tourism.
September 3, 2019
This is a great book to discover a variety of places to observe celestial objects and events. It's not really the kind of book that you read from beginning to end, but more of a reference work to be consulted as needed.
May 26, 2020
Well done book. I wish it was bigger dimensions (ht/width). Depth of topics was smart - very objective sounding editing. Great listing of the dark sites and observatories, etc to visit Writer 'understands' what we astronomers are obsessed to seek out.
January 7, 2020
Lots of good content! It’s sort of overwhelming actually! It’s a beautifully done book. Definitely a book for travelers to have on hand!
January 7, 2020
4.5. This book is beautiful and very informative. If you are interested in astronomy or space travel, this is the book for you. I learned so much.
January 16, 2020
3.5
Looking for summer vacation ideas!
Looking for summer vacation ideas!
September 21, 2020
A nice intro style book to astronomy. Learnt some stuff. Saw some pics of cool places. Better than a 3 but maybe not quite a 4. 🤷♀️
January 19, 2021
One of my favorite topics. I liked this one. Give us information along with the fantastic photographs.
I would definitely recommend it to everyone who is interested in the topic.
I would definitely recommend it to everyone who is interested in the topic.
June 30, 2022
Definitely increased my desire to visit observatories and dark sky places!
December 18, 2019
Inspiration to get outside and get to know our night sky Short descriptions of places around the world to visit Brief section provides guidance for getting oriented to our sky
September 17, 2019
Valerie did an awesome job on this; I dare you to find a type of astrotourism she hasn't covered.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews