15 Apr Adirondack Region Prime Location to Experience Growing “Noctourism” Trend
The Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism (ROOST) is anticipating increased interest in stargazing, planet viewing, and celestial phenomena travel among visitors to the Adirondack region of Upstate New York. The park’s six million acres are largely free from light pollution, making its villages and wilderness areas prime locations for stargazing.
Visitors to the Adirondacks have myriad opportunities to take part in stargazing – as a casual observer with the naked eye, with binoculars, or with a personal telescope. People visiting the Adirondack Sky Center and Observatory, the Adirondacks’ only public astronomy-based organization, can experience close-up views of deep space through high-powered professional telescopes.
The Adirondack Sky Center and Observatory has recently established its astronomy hub, featuring a portable StarLab Planetarium in downtown Tupper Lake. Visitors can take part in an exciting immersive planetarium experience each Thursday and Saturday. The organization is also proud to boast three NASA Solar System Ambassadors; part of a nationwide network of volunteers, helping to bring NASA’s groundbreaking work and discoveries to audiences across the country.
According to Adirondack Sky Center and Observatory President Seth McGowan, the facility is preparing for increased interest in 2025, with events and viewing opportunities scheduled throughout the year. “Last year’s solar eclipse, the recent lunar eclipse, and publicity surrounding recent planetary alignments, along with the partial solar eclipse taking place just last week, have contributed to an increase in curiosity regarding celestial events,” he commented. “I believe that more people will seek out opportunities for stargazing and I am thrilled to be able to provide information and assist with making the universe more accessible to our visitors.”
Public interest in astronomy after the 2024 solar eclipse, news about recent planetary alignments, additional celestial events throughout the upcoming months, and the region’s reputation as a prime stargazing location support the growing “noctourism” trend of travel to areas offering clear, starry skies and dark nights. 2025 brings opportunities to see planets, meteor showers and auroras or “northern lights.” This year, the increased number and intensity of sun flares and activity contributes to frequent and stronger displays.
Even during periods of high solar activity, clear skies and minimal light pollution are crucial for optimal viewing, both of which the Adirondack region offers. Most of the Adirondacks are a Class 2 on the Bortle Scale, which is described as a “typical truly dark site.” The region offers minimal light pollution, relatively low humidity, and elevation – all important factors for viewing the stars. The Adirondacks’ clear, dark skies, weather conditions, solitude, and wide open spaces provide the perfect conditions for celestial observation.
The moon’s phase also impacts viewing experiences, with the “new moon” offering the darkest skies; as the moon is hidden from view, reducing the amount of ambient light. This year, “new moons” will take place on April 27, May 27, June 25, July 24, August 23, September 21, October 21, November 20, and December 20.
This month, the Eta Aquarids and Lyrids meteor showers will be active at the same time. The events overlap for six days, between April 20 and April 26, giving stargazers in the Northern Hemisphere the opportunity to see twice as many meteors in the night sky. Additionally, during the peak (April 21 – 22), the moon won’t be visible until about 3:30 am; the sky will remain dark, offering the best chance to see the show.
Other locations and activities throughout the Adirondack Park are offering noctourism adventures, including:
- Great Camp Sagamore in Raquette Lake offers stargazing events for visitors.
- Local paddling outfitters such as Raquette River Outfitters and St. Regis Canoe Outfitters in Saranac Lake offer nighttime excursions by request – see the stars reflected on the water for an even more spectacular view.
- The eastern edge of the Adirondack Park, along Lake Champlain offers wide-open vistas, perfect for nighttime sky viewing. Climbing one of the CATS trails leading to a lower elevation peak such as Belfry Mountain or Big Hollow, offers beautiful nighttime views.
- Nighttime photography classes/outings are hosted by some of the region’s most prominent photographers, including Carl Heilman and Mark Bowie.
- Camping is an activity that allows people to sleep under the stars; often providing amazing views of the Milky Way and millions of stars.
- In the winter months, many cross-country skiing / snowshoeing venues such as John Brown Farm, Cascade Welcome Center and Scotts Cobble Nordic Center and the Paul Smith’s Visitors Interpretive Center offer nighttime ski and snowshoe events. Many Adirondack-based guide services such as High Peaks Mountain Guides can also develop and plan nighttime adventures for individuals and group outings.
- Learn more about guided night time trips at the New York State Outdoor Guide Association.
According to Jane Hooper, communications manager at ROOST, the Adirondack Park is known for its scenery, day or night. “The Adirondacks is an exceptional location for viewing the nighttime sky,” she said. “While it is known for its mountains, lakes, lush green trails and spectacular foliage, the nighttime sky is equally beautiful – it’s an incredible place to stargaze. Clear, cool nights offer millions of bright twinkling stars set against ink-black skies. Even something as simple as watching a full moon rise in the distance, over the mountains or over a dark, still lake in the evening is a beautiful thing to see. The Adirondack region offers incredible views, day or night.”
Staggering statistics indicate that light pollution is increasing at 10 percent each year globally; and it’s estimated that eighty percent of Americans cannot see the Milky Way, due to the glow of artificial light. One way to measure the darkness of the night sky for a particular location is the Bortle Scale, a nine-level scale that quantifies light pollution with Class 9 being the most extreme amount of light pollution typically found in a big city.
The Adirondacks offer some of the best opportunities for outdoor recreation in a beautiful, natural setting; it is within a day’s drive for 25 percent of the entire North American population. Stargazing is certainly one of the region’s most beautiful experiences.
Celestial activity in 2025 includes:
T Coronae Borealis to Produce a Nova – TBD 2025 (possibly April/May)
One of the most anticipated events is the potential for a star named T Coronae Borealis to erupt. Known as the “Blaze Star,” this system eventually creates a thermonuclear explosion (a nova) producing a dramatic brightening. While the exact timing of the event is unknown, scientists anticipate this in 2025.
Mercury’s Greatest Elongation – April 21
Mercury will be at its greatest elongation from the sun on April 21, making it the best time to spot the planet in 2025.
Lyrids Meteor Shower – peaks on April 21 – 22
The Lyrids offers about 20 meteors per hour at its peak; produced by dust particles left behind by comet C/1861 G1 Thatcher. The shower takes place annually from April 16-25. In 2025, it peaks on the night of April 21st and morning of the 22nd. These meteors can produce bright trails that last for several seconds. The thin crescent moon will not offer much light, ensuring a good show. Best viewing will be from a dark location after midnight.
Eta Aquarids Meteor Shower – peaks May 6 – 7
The Eta Aquarid shower, produced by Halley’s Comet, is capable of producing up to 30 meteors per hour in the Northern Hemisphere, beginning on April 20 and 21. The meteor shower will peak during the night of May 6 and the morning of May 7.
2025 Delta Aquariid Meteor Shower: July 28-29.
The Delta Aquarids can produce up to 20 meteors per hour at its peak. It is produced by debris left behind by comets Marsden and Kracht. It peaks this year on the night of July 28 and morning of July 29. The crescent moon will set early in the evening, leaving dark skies for what should be an excellent show.
Perseids Meteor Shower – peaks August 12 – 13
The Perseids is one of the best meteor showers to observe, produced by the Swift-Tuttle comet. It offers 60 meteors each hour, from July 17 to August 24; peaking during the night of August 12 and morning of August 13. The bright moon may obscure viewing, but darker locations may offer a good show.
Saturn – September 21
The ringed planet will be at its closest to Earth on September 21, its face fully illuminated by the sun. The planet will be brighter than any other time of the year, and visible throughout the night. A medium-sized telescope will allow stargazers to see Saturn’s rings and a few of its brightest moons. This will be the best time to view and photograph Saturn and its moons.
Orionids Meteor Shower – October 21 – 22
The Orionids, produced by dust left behind by Halley’s Comet, produces up to 20 meteors per hour. It takes place throughout October, peaking on the night of October 21 and the morning of October 22. This year, the moon will be absent all night, providing excellent viewing. The best view will be after midnight.
Leonids Meteor Shower – November 17
This meteor shower takes place throughout most of November, with 15 meteors per hour, resulting from the Tempel-Tuttle comet. This meteor shower is unique in that it has a 33-year cycle when hundreds of meteors per hour can be seen – the last peak was in 2001. This year, the thin crescent moon will ensure that the skies will be dark enough – offering a great show. The best viewing will be after midnight.
Geminids Meteor Shower – December 13 – 14
The Geminids is considered the best meteor shower for viewing, with up to 120 multicolored meteors per hour. The event takes place each year from early to mid-December; in 2024 it will peak during the night of the 13th and morning of the 14th. The new moon ensures a dark sky, perfect for viewing.
Ursids Meteor Shower – December 21-22
The Ursids is a minor meteor shower producing about 5-10 meteors each hour. The shower runs annually from December 17-25. It peaks this year on the night of the 21st and morning of the 22nd; the thin, crescent moon will set early in the evening, leaving dark skies and the best viewing just after midnight.
No Comments