When was the last time you saw the Milky Way?

When was the last time you saw the Milky Way

Andrea Varga-Darabos When was the last time you saw the Milky Way 20 July 2016 | 2 minute reading time

What do I love most in summer? It would be hard to choose between open water swimming, outdoor chatting, BBQ garden parties, and the colours of summer. And how about tweeting birds, crickets and the time spent outdoors?

However, there is one thing that makes summer nights not only pleasant but magic: nothing compares to lying on a blanket in on the grass and gazing at the stars. Listening to the subtle sounds of the night, pointing out familiar constellations, watching shooting stars in August and making secret wishes whenever one appears.

Sadly, it’s becoming more and more difficult to find a place where the amazing sight of the star-studded sky can be fully enjoyed. It has recently been established that even on a clear night (when moonlight is low) only 1 in 3 people on Earth can see the Milky Way from their home.

Even for the rest of us it’s not easy to find a spot where artificial lights won’t outshine stars. More than 1 in 2 Europeans live in a place with high light pollution which means that only the brightest of stars can be seen.

If you are out to find the greatest stargazing spot it’s worth trying in national parks. Fortunately, there are more and more organised stargazing tours available.