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In a world where climate change is becoming ever more prevalent, we need more than ever to rethink our approach to travelling.

Astrotourism is an International Movement of Sustainable and Responsible Tourism that has proven to be an excellent opportunity for economic development for localities with less tourist attraction and covers both developed and developing countries.

Thanks to a Starlight movement, we’re moving beyond the standard model of tourism of mass, creating a future where we leave more benefits in the community where we travel.

First of all, I would like to make a brief introduction and start with the definition of light pollution:

Resumen del artículo: Bajo las Estrellas que narra sobre el Turismo de las Estrellas o el Turismo Astronómico.

What is Light pollution and how it affects us?

One of the definitions of light pollution states that the introduction of artificial light results in the degradation of ecosystems or the natural state.

Light pollution is a generic term that indicates the sum of all adverse effects of artificial light. It is also defined as the introduction, directly or indirectly, of artificial light into the environment.

One of the most damaging aspects for astronomy is the brightness or glow of light in the night sky produced by the reflection and diffusion of artificial light in gases and air particles by the use of inappropriate luminaires that send direct light to the sky or outside the area to be illuminated and/or by excesses in lighting levels and the use of light with radiation in the blue zone of the spectrum. (Source: iac.es)

Light pollution affects astronomical observation and is mainly concentrated in the vicinity of large cities, so "astronomical observatories" are usually located in remote areas.

Light pollution increases the glare of the night sky caused by the diffusion of artificial light in gases and particles of urban air (smoke, pollution, etc.) thus decreasing the visibility of stars and other celestial objects.

Light pollution and CO2

On the other hand, an inhabitant needs more energy, among other reasons for electrical appliances (televisions, washing machines, computers...) causing an expense about 100 times greater.

Light pollution is partly linked to an increase in CO2 because thermal power stations (apart from renewable energies) are needed to produce electricity and this leads to a significant increase in environmental pollution.

Starlight Foundation

The Starlight Foundation was created by the Institute of Astrophysics of the Canary Islands (IAC) in order to disseminate astronomy and coordinate and manage the Starlight movement.

The main purposes of the Starlight Foundation are:

Protection of the night sky
Cultural diffusion of astronomy
Tourism of the stars
Smart lighting and energy saving

IAC - Institute of Astrophysics of the Canary Islands is a non-profit foundation, public body, created in 1982, which is also an international reference.

The observatories of the IAC on the island of Tenerife and La Palma are the most important astronomical research centre in Europe, in which they have installed telescopes and instruments in more than sixty scientific institutions belonging to nineteen countries.

The Roque de Los Muchachos Observatory, the great Canary Telescope, is one of the most advanced in the world.

The IAC has fought against light pollution since 1988, when the Sky Law was created, which preserves the astronomical quality of the Observatories of the Canary Islands. (https://www.boe.es/buscar/doc.php?id=BOE-A-1988-25332) of the following aspects such as light radiation, radio pollution, air pollution as well as Regulates air traffic on observatories.

Astrotourism is a type of sustainable and responsible tourism that combines the observation of the night sky, dissemination and leisure activities related to astronomy.
But it is also a resource to promote territories with fewer possibilities that finds in star tourism an excellent opportunity to increase quality and quantity of visitors.
Starlight Destinations are not only places of excellent sky quality, but they must have the means to guarantee their protection, and also be places to visit, that is, they must have the appropriate infrastructures and activities related to the tourist offer and its integration into the nocturnal nature. (source: fundacionstarlight.org)

Astrotourism is an international movement of sustainable and responsible tourism that has proven to be an excellent opportunity for economic development for localities with less tourist attraction.

The Starlight Tourism Certification System was born with the aim of promoting, worldwide, the improvement of the quality of tourist experiences and the protection of night skies in Starlight Destinations. The criteria were established in December 2010, at the UNWTO Centre in Madrid, with representatives from UNESCO, UNESCO-Mab and IAC.

Starlight as a whole is an integrated action of UNESCO and is supported by the IAU and UNWTO, emerged from the IAC (https://www3.astronomicalheritage.net/index.php/resources/dark-skies-info).

What is evaluated?

Sky quality parameters:
Clear skies, low light pollution, excellent clarity (good seeing) and transparency of the air are the fundamental conditions required for astronomical observations and, therefore, also for the development of stellar tourism.
The brightness of the sky
Sharpness
Transparency
Cloud coverage (useful time).

What is a Starlight Destination?

There are several modalities of Starlight certifications. Next, I will comment on some of them:

Starlight Touristic Reserve

A Starlight Reserve is a protected natural space where a commitment is established for the defence of the quality of the night sky and access to starlight.

Its function is the preservation of the quality of the night sky and the different associated values, whether cultural, scientific, astronomical, landscape or natural. (Fuente: fundacionstarlight.org)

Starlight Touristic Destinations

The Starlight Destination is the set of measures aimed at protecting the quality of the sky of a destination that must have the appropriate infrastructures and activities related to the tourist offer and its integration into the nocturnal nature.

In addition, Starlight as a whole is an integrated action of UNESCO and is supported by the IAU and UNWTO, emerging from the IAC (https://www3.astronomicalheritage.net/index.php/resources/dark-skies-info).

Starlight Tourist Destinations are visitable places, which enjoy excellent qualities for contemplating the starry skies and, being protected from light pollution, are especially suitable to develop in them tourist activities based on this natural resource.

Starlight Touristic Destinations must not only accredit the quality of their skies and the means to ensure their protection but also the appropriate infrastructures and activities related to the tourist offer (accommodation, means of observation available at the service of visitors, training of personnel in charge of astronomical interpretation, etc.) and their integration into the nocturnal nature

In its totality, there are 35 Starlight destinations in the World, of which 27 belong to Spain.

Other Starlight destinations are Portugal (3), Canada (1), Chile (3) and Colombia (1).

I would like to comment briefly about the 3 Spanish destinations that offer Astrotourism:

Menorca - Biosphere Reserve
Gran Canarias
Aigüestores and Estany de Sant Mauricy

Menorca - the Tears of Sant Lorenzo or Perseidas

The tears of San Lorenzo or Perseidas are one of the most popular night shows in Menorca during the summer.

They are known as the San Lorenzo rain because it coincides with august 10th. Meteors can be traced back to the constellation Of Perseus, from which they get their name.

The Astronomical Experience here can be experienced from a viewpoint located in the village of Torralba d'en Salort: Torralba den Salford is a prehistoric village of talayotic period located on the island of Menorca in the municipality of Alayor. Chronologically it is set between 1300 BC.C. and Roman times and lasted until the Middle Ages (Source: Expedia)

Torralba d'en Salort is, together with Torre d'en Galmés, the best example of the Talayotic Culture of Menorca. It is estimated that about 500 people lived in the village.

From here we will see the fascinating astronomy in a unique space and he will tell us about the constellations that can be seen in the Northern Hemisphere in the summer season. And in addition, mythological legends that give rise to their names will be told.

The Tears of San Lorenzo can be observed during the 13th, 17th and 18th of August (Would you like to plan the visit? Contact me, I will gladly accompany you in the preparation of the trip).

My recommended places for observing the rain of stars would be Monte Toro or Punta Nation on August 14 and 15.

I would like to mention some Astronomical Experiences offered by the tourist companies of the Island:

San Lorenzo Experience Pack: A romantic dinner under the rain of the stars from a rural hotel in Menorca accompanied by the comments of a starlight guide.
The stellar menu offered by some catering companies (contact me for more information)
Route on the coast of Menorca with sunset and observation of the night sky
Observation of the night show sailing in the sea - Nautical Observation

Did you know Starlight destinations and the typology of Astronomical Tourism? If you would like me to help you organize a tourist experience of this type to celebrate it together with your family, partner or as an occasional gift, do not hesitate, contact me. It will be a pleasure to organize an Astronomical Experience for you and your dearest circle.

Also, don't forget to share the article with someone you think might be interested in making an unusual gift, spending the family vacation or making a Starlight getaway.

And I remember that in Spain there are 27 Starlight certified destinations so do not hesitate to contact me to prepare an unforgettable experience.

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