Natural darkness makes shooting stars shine

When the Perseids streak across the sky in August, it’s time once again to look up! Around August 12, up to 90 shooting stars per hour can be seen under clear skies—provided the night sky is dark enough. The Eisenwurzen Nature Night Area, surrounding the Kalkalpen National Park the perfect conditions for this.

The best way to experience this celestial spectacle is by spending the night at the Ebenforstalm or the Anlaufalm. “The Perseid nights show just how precious a natural night sky is. Without darkness, many shooting stars would simply vanish into the light,” says Antonia Zichy, project manager for the Eisenwurzen Natural Night Sky Area in Kalkalpen National Park. Across three federal states, municipalities and project partners are working to preserve the natural night sky and reduce light pollution. This benefits more than just stargazers: Less artificial light creates better living conditions for many nocturnal animals and plants, protects the natural day-night cycle, and simultaneously saves energy and reduces CO₂ emissions.

Everyone can do their part to protect the night. Often, it’s enough to turn on outdoor lights only when they’re really needed, turn off unnecessary light sources, or use warm-white light. “Every light that’s turned off helps preserve our night sky. The Perseids remind us of what we gain when we give the night more space again,” says Zichy.
Another occasion to consciously engage with darkness is Earth Night on September 11. This international day of action highlights how easy it is to reduce light pollution. Often, all it takes is the push of a button to make the night a little more natural again.