Dark Skies

Lonely Planet's Practical Guide to Astrotourism: Dark Skies

Authored by space tourism and travel writer 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.

Find sites accredited by the International Dark-Sky Association;
Learn about stargazing and astrophotography;
See astronomy in action at 12 observatories across the globe.

"The skies above us are part of our heritage, both natural and cultural," Valerie writes in her Introduction to the book. "Astronomy and stargazing are an important part of human history, one that can connect us back to early myth or awaken us to the vast scale of our universe and its many mysteries. Witnessing the sweep of the Milky Way, the remains of passing comets as they burn up in our atmosphere, or the shimmering aurora, we better understand space and our place in it."

"This book will help you experience all of this and more first-hand," Valerie says, "so that you can glimpse some of the celestial wonder yourself. Taking time to enjoy the heavens, whether on travels abroad or from the backyard, deepens our knowledge and appreciation for our planet and the universe as a whole."

How to Use This Book
Dark Skies is divided into sections based on whether it's about witnessing the dark sky at a specific preserve, observing a natural phenomena such as a meteor shower, eclipse, or the aurora up close, or travelling to a major telescope or laboratory. You can even explore the options for suborbital space flight. Alternatively, maybe you won't be travelling anywhere but up, by looking at the heavens directly in your backyard. In each section, you'll learn about different space-related activities, then gain an understanding of where and how to have that experience.

Dark Skies
Lonely Planet
RRP: $29.99