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How to have an ‘out of this world’ stargazing experience

For tens of thousands of years, humans have been captivated by the wonders of the cosmos. And it’s easy to see why; there’s nothing quite like the feeling you get from staring out at a sea of twinkling stars set against an ink-black sky. Australia's vast expanses and comparatively low population mean we are lucky to have some of the most magnificent night skies in the southern hemisphere. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have known this for centuries, and have been described as the world’s first astronomers. With so many protected nature pockets in New South Wales, there’s a perfect stargazing spot for everyone, but the very best rewards can be found in places that require a little more effort to get to. Before you set off, there are a few things you can do to make your next stargazing experience truly astronomical:

Plan your time and place

[caption id="attachment_15342" align="alignnone" width="1200"]Two people with head torches looking up into the night sky at Yuraygir National Park. Photo credit: Lisa Russo/DCCEEW Stargazing goals.[/caption] Firstly, you’ll need somewhere with minimal light pollution and clear access to the night sky. Hot tip: NSW’s remote national parks are a great place to start. Timing is also important – you can stargaze at any time of the year, but the sky is especially impressive on clear, cooler nights, so be prepared to rug up before you look up. Stepping out in winter comes with the added bonus of earlier sunsets too, giving you more time to explore the cosmos. For maximum star power, try to plan your stargazing adventure at least a week either side of the full moon. [block_green]Ranger’s tip: Camping is a fun way to discover the beauty of our national parks. Follow these safety tips to keep you and your camping group safe.[/block_green]  

Know what to look for

[caption id="attachment_15344" align="alignnone" width="1200"]Camping under the stars in the Warrumbungles. Photo credit: Rob Mulally/DCCEEW Tonight's entertainment: that incredible veiw.[/caption] Popular stops on a celestial tour of the southern sky include the planets Mars, Jupiter and Venus, the Southern Cross and our very own galaxy, the Milky Way. [block_green]Did you know? When you wish upon the first star of the night, you may actually be wishing on a planet. Venus, one of the brightest objects in the night sky, can often be seen most clearly around sunset. Jupiter is also visible to the naked eye – look out for a bright, silvery star that doesn’t appear to be ‘twinkling’.[/block_green] Other familiar icons include Orion’s Belt – best seen from January to March – and the Pleiades constellation, which is associated with the Aboriginal Star Dreaming story of the Seven Sisters.
 
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One of our favourites is the Celestial Emu, a well-known Aboriginal astronomical constellation which is outlined by dark areas of the night sky, rather than the stars. To find it, you’ll need to navigate your way to the Coalsack Nebula, visible as a dark patch covering part of the Milky Way to the left of the Southern Cross. There are also a few events each year that will increase your odds of being able to wish upon a shooting star. The Eta Aquariid shower can be seen in the southern hemisphere each May, as Earth moves through a trail of dust and gas left by Halley's Comet.  

Assemble your gear

[caption id="attachment_15343" align="alignnone" width="1200"]The Milky Way above the beach in Murramarang National Park. Photo credit: Grant Reynolds/DCCEEW Under the Milky Way.[/caption] While a telescope or even a pair of binoculars can really up your stargazing game, there’s still plenty that can be seen with the naked eye. There are also a plethora of star maps and apps that will help you navigate the sky, such as  NASA app, SkyView Lite and Night Sky. Note that some of these apps may not work without mobile reception, so just in case, be sure to pick a few key things to look for before you go. Other essentials include comfy reclining chairs or a picnic blanket, camping gear and warm clothing. [block_green]Ranger’s tip: If you’re heading to an outback park, stay safe with these tips.[/block_green] Now that you’re all set, here are our top eight places to stargaze.

The stars over teh sand dunes of Worimi Regional Park. Photo credit: Michael Billing/DCCEEW
Photo Information Worimi Regional Park Michael Billing/DCCEEW Magic.

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