Astrotourism gains fans in Brazil with ‘dark park’ – 07/13/2023 – Science

In a small remote town in the interior of Rio de Janeiro, young Pedro Froes is fascinated by what he sees through the telescope: orange and blue tones of the Jewel Box, a cluster of stars imperceptible to the naked eye. “It’s amazing,” he says in awe.

Like him, more and more astronomy enthusiasts are visiting Parque Estadual do Desengano, 260 km north of Rio, the first “dark sky park” in Latin America recognized by the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) due to its low light pollution.

“We can observe an average of 3,000 stars a year with the naked eye, without the aid of any instrument. In cities like Rio or São Paulo, at most, only 200 are visible”, explains astronomer Daniel Mello, from the Valongo Observatory. from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ).

This is because the park is home to more than 21,000 hectares of preserved Atlantic forest and is surrounded by mountains, 120 km from the nearest large city. In the park, light pollution caused by artificial light is minimal.

In the front garden of the park headquarters, located in the small town of Santa Maria Madalena, Mello conducts a public nocturnal observation session for about 20 people, pointing with a laser at the constellations of Scorpio, Centaur and Cruzeiro do Sul.

Even on a moonlit night, it is possible to clearly appreciate the brightness of the Milky Way. Two telescopes reveal more distant stars.

The event is part of the research and scientific dissemination project Astroturismo nos Parques Brasileiros, created by Mello and a group of specialists from other areas, such as tourism, ecology and photography.

“I’ve always enjoyed admiring the sky, but I’ve had little opportunity to see it to the same extent that we can see it here. For someone who lives in big cities, it’s not possible to see so many stars at the same time”, says Froes, a 22-year-old biologist who traveled from Niterói, in the metropolitan region of Rio de Janeiro, to contemplate the sky.

It is estimated that 80% of humanity lives under skies flooded with artificial light, the excess of which disturbs the reproduction of species, disorients migratory birds and causes fatigue in insects, among other consequences.

For humans, in addition to preventing the contemplation of the sky, light pollution interferes with the “circadian rhythm” of sleep-wake, which regulates biological and hormonal functions.

Dark skies, chain benefits

Parque do Desengano, founded in 1970 and administered by the State Institute of the Environment (Inea) of the state of Rio de Janeiro, was recognized in 2021 by the IDA, one of the specialized organizations that grants this type of recognition.

The other Latin American site recognized by the IDA is the Elqui Valley, in the Atacama Desert in Chile, but in the category of sanctuary, due to its isolated character.

While “astrotourism” has developed more in the United States, Europe and Chile, Brazil, known worldwide for its beaches and rainforest, is still in its infancy.

However, bucolic Santa Maria Madalena, with 10,000 inhabitants, is already starting to see changes.

Bookings by tourists interested in astronomy have increased, “especially in the last six months”, says retired professor Nelson Saraiva, who runs, together with his wife, one of the few inns in the region.

The population depends mainly on agriculture, the public sector and, more recently, on ecotourism, with rural walks, trails, climbing and adventure cycling.

Now, there are more and more proposals related to the firmament, such as contemplation sessions led by Mello, monthly meetings that combine astronomical observation with gastronomy and even a Festival of the Stars organized by the city hall and local businessmen since last year.

Saraiva says she believes that one day this could become the city’s main attraction.

ecological balance

Saving the sky doesn’t just benefit the economy.

Upon obtaining IDA certification, the park must promote environmental education activities and replace its lighting with low-impact lighting, among other requirements, explains Carlota Enrici, the park’s Scientific Research and Environmental Education coordinator.

“We have an enormous diversity of birds, mammals, reptiles, puma, which are only there because the place is preserved. Reducing light pollution keeps the ecosystem in balance”, he adds.

Mello sees the 2021 title as a gateway for other Brazilian parks with similar potential to obtain the same certification and develop astrotourism, such as Chapada dos Veadeiros, in Goiás, which already offers some activities of this type.

It is about rescuing people’s contact with the starry sky and nature, according to him.