Namibia Holiday & Travel - Adventure in Namibia - Stargazing
Stargazing
With its generally cloudless night sky, especially in the dry winter months, minimal contamination by artificial light and air pollution, and excellent view of the southern constellations, Namibia has superb stargazing conditions. As such it is favoured by professional and amateur astronomers alike.
Namibia was chosen as the best site for the multi-national Max Planck High Energy Stereoscopic System experiment (H.E.S.S.), now fully operational on Farm Göllschau near the Gamsberg. Many lodges now have medium-sized telescopes (up to 16" diameter) for use by interested guests, and provide their novice stargazing guests with a laymen’s introduction to astrology.
The Khomas Hochland/Gamsberg area west of Windhoek has the third-clearest, least light-polluted sky in the world. There is an impressive 'farm' of telescopes and other equipment at the guest farm Hakos, maintained by the German-based International Amateur Observatory. Hakos is two hours' drive away from Windhoek, on top of the Gamsberg Pass. Amateur Astronomers especially like the farm, because the high elevation at the edge of the desert gives best opportunities for observation and photography.
Rooisand Desert Ranch, situated about two hours west of the capital, houses a 15-metre-high dome equipped with three astronomical telescopes. Amateur astronomers capable of handling the equipment are allowed to use the dome on their own; other interested parties will be assisted.
In alliance with the 2009 International Year of Astronomy, Namibia hosted a number of stargazing enthusiasts at the foot of the Brandberg Mountain for a weekend of star-appreciation during June. The year 2009 marked the third occasion that the Southern Stargazers Meeting, hosted by the local branch of the By Stargazers for Stargazers Club, took place in Namibia.
