The best places for stargazing are
• - Argentina.
In Argentina there is currently little offer of services specialized in astrotourism. However, some localities are betting on developing this activity, such as the Félix Aguilar Observatory and the El Leoncito Astronomical Complex, built in 1960 and 1983 for scientific purposes, located inside the El Leoncito National Park, in the Province of San Juan where some initiatives are being supported.[17] Additionally, there is a tourist offer around the Ampimpa Astronomical Observatory, in Amaicha del Valle in the Province of Tucumán,[18] and the Pierre Auger Observatory and the Malargüe Planetarium located in Pampa Amarilla, in the Province of Mendoza.[19].
• - Australia.
In Western Australia there are the towns of: Carnamah, Perenjori, Three Springs, Morawa, Wongan Hills, Mullewa, Cervantes and Mingenew.[20] Other places of interest are the Warrumbungle National Park, certified as a dark sky park, and the Sydney Observatory, from 1858, part of the astronomical heritage in Australia, both in New South Wales, the “Charleville Cosmos Centre, in Charleville in Queensland and the Arkaroola natural life sanctuary somewhat removed from Adelaide "Adelaide (Australia)").[21].
• - Colombia.
In Bogotá there is the National Astronomical Observatory, a heritage site that dates back to 1803 and which organizes activities with astronomy fans as well as the Observatory of the University of Los Andes and the Planetarium of Medellín.[22] Along with the above, the Tatacoa Desert, where the Astrosur Astronomical Observatory and the Municipal Observatory are located, both oriented to astrotourism.
• - Chili.
Chile currently has the largest concentration of scientific astronomical observatories, currently it concentrates 40% of the sky observation capacity, but thanks to new international projects, by 2025 it will have 70% of the world's capacity. Which constitutes an indicator of the quality of its skies.[25].
Thanks to a policy aimed at protecting its skies, the development of astrotourism as an economic activity has allowed it to be considered a tourism specialty in Chile. The climatic and altitude conditions allow more than 300 nights of clear skies per year. Currently, Chile is a reference in terms of astrotourism in Latin America.[26][27][28].
The main centers of astrotourism in Chile are associated with the great Atacama Desert, such as Antofagasta, Taltal, San Pedro de Atacama, Inca de Oro "Inca de Oro (Chile)"), Copiapó, Huasco Valley, especially the Elqui Valley and the Limarí Valley, which concentrate most of the astrotourism offer in this country.[27][29].
In recent years, astrotourism offers have been developed in Santiago de Chile, in the Aconcagua Valley, in Santa Cruz "Santa Cruz (Chile)"), San Vicente de Tagua Tagua and in Casablanca "Casablanca (Chile)"), the latter with an interesting offer associated with wine routes and wines specialized in astronomical themes. Finally, the southernmost offer of astrotourism is located next to Lake Lanalhue.[27][30][31][32].
• - Brazil.
The best places for astronomical observation in Brazil are the Chapada de los Veadeiros,[33] Nova Friburgo and Teresópolis.[28] In addition, the Sierra de la Mantiqueira and the Pico dos Días Observatory, of the National Astrophysics Laboratory in Brasópolis, Minas Gerais[27][29].
• - Spain.
Since 2004, the development of astrotourism in Spain has been exponential. The Island of La Palma, in the Canary Islands, where the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory and the Gran Telescopio Canarias are located,[29] was a precursor of astrotourism in the country.[28] It is a privileged place for astronomical tourism where, in 2007, the “Starlight a common Heritage” was held and the “Declaration of La Palma in Defense of the Night Sky and the right to observe the Stars” was established. Within this framework and with the support of the UN and the World Tourism Organization through the Starlight Foundation, I created the Starlight certification, which accredits those spaces that have excellent sky quality and that represent an example of protection and conservation.[34].
In the Iberian Peninsula we find a wide variety of astronomical destinations, among which there are observatories, accommodation and experiences organized by astrotourism companies. Among the most notable observatories at the educational level we find the Hita astronomical Observatory in Toledo, which combines scientific and educational activities. Some enclaves related to astrotourism are: the Astronomical Center of Tiedra, Cielo y Tiedra, in the province of Valladolid, the Heaven Interpretation Center (CIC) in Gorafe, the Santa Catalina Botanical Garden, in the town of Iruña de Oca, the Calar Alto Observatory in Almería, the Monfragüe National Park in Cáceres, the Encinas y Estrellas astro-tourism complex, in Higuera la Real in Badajoz, the Sierra Morena in Andalusia, the Camino de Las Estrellas route in Galicia, the astronomical route of Santa Ana la Real and the Astronomy Interpretation Center of Villanueva de los Castillejos in Huelva.[35][36].
• - USA.
In the United States, the sky protection organization was created in 1988, it already has more than 42 certified dark sky parks, in places such as Utah, Arizona, California, Nevada and New Mexico. One of the most visited places for astrotourism is the Joshua Tree National Park.[28] The main astrotourism destination in the United States is Mauna Kea, on the Island of Hawaii[37] Another place, although more linked to space tourism, is Cape Canaveral "Cape Canaveral (Florida)") in Florida, which has theme parks oriented to space and exploration.[27].
• - Jordan.
The Wadi Rum desert in Jordan, also known as Valley of the Moon, has been the setting for several science fiction films such as “Mission to Mars”, “Red Planet”, “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” and Prometheus, today it attracts many tourists for astrophotography.[29].
• - Morocco.
The town of Merzouga in the southeast of Morocco, next to the famous Erg Chebbi desert and its dunes where camel, 4x4 and hiking excursions are offered.[29].
• - Mexico.
In the state of Puebla, there is the Sierra Negra volcano, where the Large Millimeter Telescope (GMT) is located, the largest of its kind and another prominent place is the Sierra de San Pedro Mártir National Park, located in Baja California, considered one of the best places for astronomical observation in the northern hemisphere.[29][38][39].
• - Portugal.
One of the highlights of Portugal is the Alqueva area, in the southeast of Portugal known for its dark skies certification and covering nearly three thousand square kilometers that includes small towns such as Alandroal, Portel, Mourão, Moura, Reguengos de Monsaraz and Barrancos.[27][28][29].
• - New Zealand.
Rakiura National Park, which in Maori means “bright sky”, is located on Stewart Island at the southern tip of that country. And also Castlepoint Beach, in the Wairarapa region of the North Island, is considered a favorable area for stargazing.[27].
The best places to observe the northern lights are
• - Alaska.
In Fairbanks, a small city in the center of the region, there are services and excursions to observe the northern lights during the season.[42].
• - Canada.
It is a country with many places suitable for observing the northern lights, however, the favorite is Manitoba in Hudson Bay, since polar bears can also be observed, especially in the small town of Churchill "Churchill (Manitoba)."[42].
• - Iceland.
Thingvellir, a national park in Iceland, is considered the best place to observe the northern lights.[29].
• - Norway.
The city of Tromsø, known as the “Paris of the North”, allows you to see the northern lights spectacle and also offers astronomy talks during a visit to the Northern Lights planetarium between September and March.[27].
• - Sweden.
Kiruna is located in the extreme north of Sweden. A place well known for its ice hotel and the northern lights.[38][39].
• - Finland.
Rovaniemi in Finland, is the northernmost city where in addition to the famous winter theme park Santa Claus Village and the arctic snow hotel. Photography tours are held in Rovaniemi to capture the northern lights.[27][43].
• - Russia.
Murmansk, a city located in the northern part of Siberia, on the Kola Peninsula, is Russia's largest port in the Arctic. The northern lights can be seen 200 days a year. The aurora season runs from August to April, with the months of September to October and February to March being the best to observe the northern lights from this port.[44].
• - Declaration in defense of the night sky and the right to observe the stars Archived March 27, 2019 at the Wayback Machine.
• - Astrotourism Manual Practical astrotourism manual of 2017.