Stargazing.
Reach for the stars with us!
Silence, an invisible chirping of crickets, the air is clear, darkness.
And high above this peaceful natural scene: the overwhelming twinkling of the starry sky. Every now and then, a shooting star makes its luminous trail across the firmament.
Since time immemorial, we have been fascinated by this world of stars, always looking up in wonder and imagining what might be hidden there. Just go out in the evening, sit down and watch the starry sky, and indulge in our thoughts. The incredible vastness of the universe seems almost surreal. It enchants, fascinates.
No light pollution and therefore an undisturbed view of the stars, of the full splendour of our galaxy, of the natural phenomenon of the Milky Way - it is a special feature, almost a privilege.
And we in Warth-Schröcken are privileged because: due to the low light pollution, our mountain villages are perfect for stargazing and open up an unobstructed view of the sky, sun, moon and stars. Find out where the best spots are, what you can see there and what you need to bear in mind here!
Perseids: the most beautiful shooting star night of the year!
Perseids are an annually recurring meteor stream that burns up in the Earth's atmosphere. The Perseids are therefore the most impressive meteor swarm in our latitudes. They owe their name to the constellation of Perseus, from which they appear to come.
When?
The Perseids can be seen in the night sky every year from mid-July to the end of August. They reach their peak around 12 August, when a particularly high number of shooting stars can be expected. The best time to watch them is between 9:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., looking towards the northeast.
At the right time, in the right place.
Hochtannberg Pass, Simmel:
Those who wish can climb the Simmel and observe the starry sky from there.
Kalbelsee towards Körbersee:
A little away from the road, following the path towards Körbersee, there are numerous spots for peaceful stargazing.
Bürstegg:
Bürstegg offers the best location with the least light pollution. If you’re motivated for a night hike, this spot should not be missed!
The website "www.lightpollutionmap.info" or apps like “Dark Sky Finder” can also help in finding the perfect location.
Our tips & tricks for stargazing.
- Avoid light sources: the darker the surroundings, the more stars appear in the night sky. However, this can be overwhelming, especially at the beginning, when we can no longer see the stars because of the Milky Way! It can therefore also be helpful at the beginning to explore the night sky and discover constellations in brighter places or under a brighter moon.
- The sky is darkest at new moon and the starry sky can be marvelled at in its full splendour.
- Observe the weather: if there is haze or clouds, this can spoil the stargazing fun.
- Sky maps, constellations, apps such as "Stellarium" or "SkyView" and landmarks such as the North Star help you to orientate yourself in the night sky.
- The best star chart is useless if you can't see anything: a headlamp will help you to get to your place safely and study the star chart - but bear in mind that it will always take a few minutes after the light until your eyes have adjusted to the darkness again.
- You should be comfortable and bring time and patience for stargazing: Don't forget a blanket or deckchair, food and warm clothing!
- If you want to see more, don't forget binoculars or even a telescope.