It's dark, the bats and other nocturnal animals are out looking for food, there's not a cloud in the sky - it's time to look up at the night sky in the Eifel and be enchanted by the multitude of twinkling stars . This is possible in the Star Park in the Eifel National Park, where there is a clear view of the Milky Way and the many distant stars and planets, which are usually no longer visible in other places because the sky doesn't get really dark. Too much lighting in the streets and houses and too dense a population cause light pollution, which prevents us from looking at the stars because the surroundings are too bright.
In the Eifel National Park, the night sky is still clear and really dark. Since 2019, the park has been designated a star park by the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA). The aim is to protect nature at night from the impact of artificial light, thereby preserving and promoting biodiversity. Nocturnal animals in particular need the darkness of the night, the constant change between day and night.
For us humans, a breathtaking view of the Eifel night sky opens up in the dark. The astronomy workshop "Stars without borders" at the Vogelsang IP observatory regularly offers various activities in German and English about the natural experience of starry skies.
Specially trained star guides offer open star tours at special stargazing locations, which can be booked directly online.
Stargazing hosts have specialized in the needs of stargazers.
Depending on the time of year, different constellations can be seen in the sky - with telescopes, binoculars and even with the naked eye. Warm clothing is a must for a guided tour, because even in summer it can get cold at night. And after an exciting star hike, constellations such as Alpha Centauri and Sirius are no longer unfamiliar.
