Stargazing in Dordogne
The Dordogne region in France offers one of the best spots in west Europe for watching the stars. Taking the time to look at the stars connects us with something much larger than ourselves. In this article, we will explore why Dordogne is an ideal location for stargazing and share some tips and fun facts that will enhance your experience.
Dark Skies
This means that the area must have very little artificial light pollution that interferes with the visibility of the stars. Dordogne is region is thinly populated, making it a perfect place for stargazing.
Best Spots for Stargazing
The banks of the Dordogne River or hilltops of Castelnaud and Marqueyssac offer breathtaking views of the night sky. But the key to successful stargazing is finding a dark spot away from artificial light. A rural spot, like our holiday home location, is also perfect. Do turn off the garden- and pool lights.
Give it some time
When you have found an ideal location, it’s worth waiting at least fifteen minutes for your eyes to adjust to the darkness. With the naked eye, you can very easily observe the Milky Way, a large band of bright stars more pronounced than the rest of the sky. During the first minutes you will notice your eyes are adjusting as you will notice more and also less brighter stars.
There is an app for that
To identify the constellations, you can use an app like Skyview (iOS) or Star Chart (Android). You can point your phone toward the part of the sky that interests you, and the app will give you lots of information about what you’re seeing, pointing out constellations, galaxies and planets.
Photographing stars, tips
It is possible to take photographs of the night sky with a more advanced phone. Adjust your shutter speed and use a tripod. Or be creative in finding a way to stabilise your phone. If you gave a wide angle setting, try out this one as it will capture as much of the sky as possible.
For camera’s you’ll need to set your shutter speed somewhere between 15-30 seconds for good results. Set your camera to manual mode and a high ISO (1600-3200) to capture more light and also use a wide-angle lens if you have one.
Perseïden Meteor Shower
The Perseïden Meteor Shower is an annual meteor shower that lights up the night sky with a dazzling display of meteors. In 2023, the peak of the shower was half of August.
The Perseïden meteor shower is created by debris from the comet Swift-Tuttle. Earth passes through it. As these pieces burn up in Earth’s atmosphere, they create bright streaks across the sky. Known as meteors or ‘shooting stars’. The meteors appear to originate from the constellation Perseus, giving the shower its name.
You can expect to see as many as 60-70 meteors per hour at its peak.
Fun facts
– The Milky Way is visible from Dordogne
– The sky is of course always moving, and you can see the stars changing position throughout the night.
– The constellations and planets visible in Dordogne include Orion and Cassiopeia.
– The International Space Station (ISS) can be seen from Dordogne.
Stargazing in Dordogne is a great experience, it offers the perfect setting for exploring the night sky. Follow above tips for the best stargazing experience, and do tag us on social media when you capture those moments. Happy viewing! ✨🔭 #maisonsaintblaise
