Have you ever wondered how bright the night sky can get?
In the modern world, the sight of a star-filled sky, the maw of the Milky Way or even a radiant full moon have become distressingly distant – much of it linked to increasing urbanization and excessive light pollution.
But, for those willing to put in a bit of effort can still witness the majesty of the stars.
Whether you’re at a mid-autumn festival party, an impromptu stargazing trip or way out in a national park in Japan, here are some tips to help you stargaze much more effectively.
Plan Ahead
First, you’ll have to choose a spot to stargaze from.
Obviously, this means avoiding as much artificial light and light pollution as possible. This means everything from big cities or even modestly sized towns are a no-go.
Instead, go for rural villages, nature parks or even remote beaches for the best skies. If you can find a high spot like a hill or mountain to camp out at to avoid cloud cover or mountain ranges blocking your view – even better.
Of course, there’s no need to go all Mount Kinabalu on your stargazing trip. Open areas like the beaches of Mersing or Sekinchan’s paddy fields can be enough for some fine starry vistas.
For some other recommendations, check out our list of Malaysian stargazing spots or the smaller towns along the KTM ETS route. Sites like darksitefinder.com can also get you started on some stargazing locales.
Once you’re picked your spot, veteran stargazers usually recommend that you come early so that you have time to set up your gear while acclimatizing your eyes to the darkness and faint starlight. This will also help you avoid bumbling your way in the darkness.
Pick the Right Moment
Seasons can also visibility and what types of stars you’ll see.
The warmer spring and summer months have shorter nights alongside obscuring haze and moisture in the atmosphere; meanwhile, colder months have longer nights as well as less obscuring haze in the atmosphere. Autumn in places like Europe are usually a great compromise between weather and visibility.
Although Malaysia doesn’t need to worry about seasons all that much, the time of year can affect which constellations you’ll be seeing up in the dark sky. The southwest and northeast monsoons will also introduce clouds, moisture and rain into the mix, so make sure to plan around them.
Moon or Stars?
Although manmade light pollution is usually the chief concern in stargazing, natural moonlight can also affect your stargazing experience.
If you want to see the moon in its full glory or photograph the landscape – say, during the Mid-Autumn Festival – time your visit during the full moon or gibbous phases. However, the bright light of the moon will obscure the faint light of deep-sky celestial objects, making it harder to spot them.
If you want to see these deep-sky objects like the Great Globular Cluster or the Bodes Galaxy, then set your dates for the crescent or new moon phases. On the downside, the moon will not be as prominent or even missing.
Still, it’s as if not as if it’s a hard choice between both. You’ll still get awesome views either way but take note of what you’re looking for and plan accordingly.
Come Prepared
For those new to stargazing, a star chart is an essential tool to pointing out your favourite constellations and planets.
You could bring a physical map (it needs to be specific to Malaysia or the equator), but in the smartphone era, stargazing apps such as Stellarium, SkyView and Sky Tonight are pretty beginner-friendly.
Next, make sure to bring essential gear like low-lumen or red flashlights or headlamps (to preserve night vision). Enthusiasts will no doubt remeber their cameras, telescopes, binoculars or tripods. And to make your outing that much comfier, bring along portable chairs, food and drinks, insect repellent and jackets too.
Taking photos of the moon and stars can be quite tricky, so make sure to take a crash course with our travel photography 101 guide while learning some photography tips and tricks.
Stargazing Apps
Stay Safe
Most stargazing spots are usually far from any danger, but it pays to be mindful!
First, make sure not to trespass into private property! If you have to, do give local staff or nearby residents a heads up. Registering with national park staff or telling loved ones about your plans is also highly recommended just for peace of mind.
Bringing some clothes with nice, thick sleeves also recommended for both warmth and protection – especially during winter – and as insurance against bites by creepy crawlies or snakes. Then again, you could easily just avoid getting bit by staying on marked trails and avoiding tall grass or undergrowth.
And just in case you’re hanging around places with nocturnal animals, try tying a small bell to yourself or playing some music on your smartphone to keep them at bay.
Prefer nightlife instead of night skies? Perhaps the evening concerts or late-night cafes of Vienna might suit you more. Kuala Lumpur has plenty of underrated attractions that simply look stunning at night too!
Links
CPRE UK – A beginner’s guide to stargazing
https://www.cpre.org.uk/discover/a-beginners-guide-to-stargazing/
The Star – Dark spots in Malaysia that are great for stargazing
https://www.thestar.com.my/lifestyle/travel/2024/02/28/dark-spots-in-malaysia-that-are-great-for-stargazing
