Anyone who sees a shooting star usually experiences a particularly magical moment. All the better if it is a whole shower. However, due to the large-scale use of light nowadays, dark places without artificial light are difficult to find for such a natural spectacle . The short trip portal kurz-mal-weg.at presents some places that impress with their natural darkness and are best suited for clear shooting star nights.

1. star park nature park Attersee-Traunsee, Upper Austria

With the official award of the IDA (International Dark-Sky Association - consciously works to combat light pollution), the Attersee-Traunsee Nature Park is the first star park in Austria. The area between Lake Attersee and Lake Traunsee is over 100 square kilometres in size and also includes the municipalities of Weyregg, Schörfling, Aurach, Altmünster and Steinbach. The natural darkness is not only a blessing for stargazers, but also for the nocturnal fauna and flora. In addition to nature and night tours, there are six so-called "Sternderl schau'n" places to effortlessly count shooting stars.

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Sternenpark Attersee-Traunsee (@sternenpark_attersee_traunsee)

2. observatory Gahberg, Upper Austria

The private observatory Gahberg is located near Weyregg am Attersee on the top of the 860 meter high Gahberg. It is operated by the Astronomical Working Group Salzkammergut. Special telescopes are used to observe stars and planets. However, the starry sky can also be photographed with conventional equipment. For the general public, limited guided tours will be offered again from mid-August.

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Chris (@astroflixall)

3. star park Hohe Dirn, Upper Austria

At the Hohe Dirn Star Park, you can see the Milky Way or constellations with your naked eyes. At an altitude of almost 1,100 metres, in Reichraming, Upper Austria, stargazers can explore the nightly firmament. Warm clothes and a flashlight are essential for a trip to the mountains. Observation evenings invite you to take a closer look at the sky with lasers and telescopes.

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by David (@davids.photography)

4. Gesäuse National Park, Styria

The Gesäuse National Park is located in the lightless centre of Austria, between the metropolises of Vienna, Graz, Salzburg and Linz - a guarantee for many shooting stars and a wide view of the universe. Up to 6,000 stars cover the night sky. In order not to disturb local wildlife, the Weidendom adventure centre and the Buchauer Sattel offer a good place for night owls under the starry sky. Events such as late-night photo workshops and "Sternderl-Schauen" are offered regularly.

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Gesäuse (@gesaeuse)

5. Ybbstalerhütte in the wilderness area Dürrenstein, Lower Austria

The Milky Way, the Zodiacal light and around 7,000 stars show up in the night sky above the Ybbstalerhütte. Located at an altitude of 1,343 metres in the Ybbstaler Alps, it offers ideal conditions for shooting star fans. Since 2010, there's also an IDA Austria measuring station, about half an hour away from the hut at the Legsteinhütte. 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Sebastian Diehl (@sebdiehl)