Dark sky camping is a special type of camping, which was formed for the purpose of unhindered observation of celestial bodies and their life at night. Of course, because only at night we can observe millions of small stars much more clearly than during the day, and for this we do not need to buy a telescope.

The main idea and attraction of this type of camping is the opportunity to go away from the city, spotlights and lamps, and take full advantage of the opportunities provided by the darkness and light from the heavenly bodies.

The main goal of stargazing camping is not just observation, but research. Since the influence and pollution of the artificial light of reality does not give us a complete and deep picture of the world, we have to go outside the city to reduce the criterion of the influence of artificial light on our view, so some park outside the city, mountains or campsites are just the perfect place for stargazing. It is the places far from large places and civilization that give everyone the opportunity to clearly see all the brightness of the stars, the scale of the planets and other astronomical objects.

It is also important that this type of camping opens up special opportunities for all participants and offers to join the global camping movement Dark Sky Places, which unites like-minded people and creates a real trend around Dark Sky Camping. All members of the Dark Sky Camping club can view and choose locations from those already indicated by other members and use their advice for maximum immersion in the night atmosphere.

This type of camping has also become quite popular among astronomy enthusiasts, because it is open to absolutely everyone who wants to enjoy and see the real night sky in its enchanting natural beauty.

What equipment is suitable for an overnight stay?

However, we all understand that the night hides many obstacles and dangers that can get in the way of having a good time, therefore, before starting thi type of camping, it is especially important to correctly select all the necessary equipment that will ensure the safety of being in the open space at night, as well as create comfortable conditions for observing and studying the night sky.

1) Check the area

You need to choose the terrain with special attention — you need an open space from where you can fully see the picture of the starry sky.

What is the surface of the land there, is it possible to set up a campsite and, of course, see what kind of weather is predicted in that region in order to be prepared for any development of events. After all, no one wants to sit wet under the rain in a tent, but even because of the rain, rain clouds will cover the night sky.

2) Choose your camping gear carefully

If you have studied all the information and start packing, then take care of a comfortable tent and sleeping bag. The tent must be waterproof both on top, in case of precipitation, and on the bottom, so as not to catch a cold. Sleeping bags should also be chosen according to several principles: size and convenience, because we worry about our health even in such cases, the height and softness of the lining so that it is not cold or hard to sleep, and we are ready for the night in the campsite.

Next, but no less important in any hike is light and warmth. Therefore, take with you more flashlights of different sizes and capacities, before checking their charge and extra pairs of batteries, if necessary. It is advisable to choose models with moisture protection and adjustable brightness to use energy efficiently.

Also, take care of your heat. Any time of year can have cold nights, so be sure to pack warm clothes and blankets before your trip. Choose light and fairly compact clothes that will not take up much space, but at the same time will provide reliable thermoregulation.

If your plans are not just to go for a few hours to observe, but you plan to stay in the campsite for several nights, then what you will definitely need is food and minimal kitchen equipment. Not all campsites are equipped with different tiles and allow us to cook the usual food, so you should prepare and take food that does not spoil and that is easy to cook, for example, on a fire, but count the number of them so that you have enough for the whole time. Better to have more than you will be too hungry to appreciate all the beauty of the night sky.

3) Special equipment

And probably more important than anything you might need during Dark Sky Camping is directly observation equipment, starting with night vision scopes and ending with powerful telescopes. After all, a huge feature of such observations is the night sky itself, which is not always visible in complete darkness, plus cosmic bodies are located at very great distances from the earth and it is difficult to notice them with the naked eye. Here it is worth understanding how far you want to study the sky, because the level and power of the equipment will depend on this. For example, if you just want to observe the stars, their brightness and movement, you may need binoculars with night vision technology or a night vision scope to enjoy the night sky, as they will enhance the light of the stars themselves and allow you to better see what the darkness hides. If you want to study astronomical bodies in detail, then you need a good zoom telescope to get much closer to stars, planets or other celestial bodies and get a good look at them. In any case, this is the equipment without which Dark Sky Camping is simply impossible

Dark Sky Camping is becoming increasingly popular among outdoor enthusiasts, but its dangers should not be underestimated. Therefore, it is important to follow these recommendations in preparation for camping so that everything goes smoothly and safely, and every participant of the trip is prepared for any changes in plans or unexpected situations. However, it is definitely worth it, because it is so difficult to enjoy the endless night space of the sky and nature around us. Therefore, do not miss this opportunity and prepare responsibly.