The charming town of Mukteshwar is preparing to welcome stargazers and astronomy enthusiasts from all corners of India as the world rejoices in International Dark Sky Week. The town is all set to host an array of astronomy-related events, and India's top astrotourism company, Starscapes, a proud member of the International Dark Sky Advocate Network, is taking the lead.
From 15th April to 30th April, Starscapes is organizing a series of engaging activities, such as the Planetary Parade and the 'Messier Marathon' at their observatory in Mukteshwar. International Dark Sky Week is a global annual event celebrated during the New Moon Week in April, and this year, it is scheduled to be held from 15th April to 22nd April. The International Dark Sky Association, a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting and preserving the night sky, endorses the event. Since its inception in 2003, International Dark Sky Week has aimed to increase awareness about the night sky, the ecosystem that flourishes in the darkness of our planet, and the vast universe beyond.
Astronomy enthusiasts from across the globe celebrate this week by participating in various activities like stargazing sessions, astrophotography workshops, and reducing light pollution by switching off lights. Starscapes has been actively promoting Dark Sky Locations in India to encourage astrotourism. Recently, they partnered with the Uttarakhand Tourism Board to establish Benital as India's first astro village. They are also working with the local community to increase awareness about light pollution and its environmental impact. Additionally, they are advocating for implementing dark sky regulations throughout India.
Paul Savio, CEO and Co-Founder of Starscapes said, "We are passionate about promoting astrotourism and preserving the beauty of the night sky. Over the last several years, we have actively discussed the importance of protecting our night sky from light pollution. We have been strong advocates for implementing dark sky regulations in India. The events we are doing as a part of International Dark Sky Week are a step to bring more awareness to this cause. We invite astronomy enthusiasts to join us in celebrating International Dark Sky Week and explore the wonders of the night sky."
The Messier Marathon
The Messier Marathon is a fantastic opportunity to learn about Charles Messier's contribution to cataloguing the night sky. Participants will have the chance to observe galaxies, nebulas, and star clusters catalogued by Messier.
Planetary Parade
The Planetary Parade will showcase the planets as they align in the eastern sky, heralding the rise of the sun early in the morning. Attendees can observe the phases of Venus, the clouds, the satellites of Jupiter, and the rings of Saturn.