By BlueShift | 2025-10-08

Stargazers who seek to observe the wonders of the cosmos, either through a telescope or with the naked eye, prize dark, clear skies near the equator, where stars from both celestial hemispheres can be observed year-round.

Kenya has sought to capitalize on its star-friendly location with a new astro-tourism initiative, launched September 7 in Samburu county, where skywatching conditions meet these criteria.

The initiative, a joint effort of Kenya's tourism ministry and the Kenya Space Agency (KSA), combines stargazing, astronomy education and the experience of pristine night skies, the tourism ministry said on social media.

"By leveraging this geographical advantage, we seek to nurture an indigenous, inclusive and innovation-driven space sector that contributes to economic diversification and job creation," KSA director general Hillary Kipkosgey said.

"One would ask, why Samburu?" Kenya's cabinet secretary for tourism and wildlife Rebecca Miano told KBC Channel 1 on September 7. "Because Samburu, the sheer location, very near to the equator, makes it ideal for this."

The skies in that area, which is home to a national reserve where unusual species of zebra, ostrich and giraffe can be seen, are dark and pure, she said.

"You are able to see a lot, and that's why we are saying, Samburu is the best place in the world to look up."

Miano described the sky as "the ultimate art gallery above us, and Kenya’s celestial canopy is a masterpiece waiting to be explored," Space in Africa reported September 12.

Blinded by the light

While the majestic sweep of the Milky Way lights up the night sky in dark areas like Samburu, light pollution maps of Earth show a reverse picture, revealing the artificially lit areas where it is most difficult to observe the universe.

Light pollution is most prevalent in the Northern Hemisphere, where it is concentrated in developed areas across the eastern United States, western Europe and in India, China, Japan and parts of Russia and the Middle East.

The African interior remains one of the darkest areas on Earth, though light pollution is creeping into the continent from the north and south.

Central Australia, inland areas of South America and swathes of Central Asia and Russia also experience very little light pollution, along with northern parts of Canada and Greenland.

Most observatories are situated in the darker areas of the planet, but even these areas are suffering from light encroachment.

"The rate of human-produced light is increasing in the night sky by as much as 10% per year, making it difficult for astronomers to study the night sky," The Conversation reported July 29.

"As human activity spreads out over time, many of the remote areas that host observatories are becoming less remote," it said.

A study published in 2022 by the Royal Astronomical Society shows that light is polluting the sky above most observatories, and that immediate action is needed to decrease the amount of contamination coming from artificial light.

Around 80% of the world’s population is now unable to see the Milky Way at night, and the threat to night sky visibility is such that in 2009, the International Astronomical Union declared a "universal right to starlight."

Africa's astro-tourism

Global interest in dark skies tourism is on the rise, and Africa is ideally positioned as a destination for travelers eager to explore the cosmos, according to the African Conservation Foundation.

So-called nocturism includes a host of nighttime experiences; from stargazing and star-bathing to aurora-hunting and night safaris.

There are two designated International Dark Sky Places (NamibRand Dark Sky Reserve and the !Ae!Hai Kalahari Heritage Park) in Africa, the foundation said, stressing the need for more such designations on the continent.

Kenya has some of the lowest light pollution levels in the world, according to the Bortle dark-sky scale, and a thriving tourism industry which accounts for almost 10% of the country's gross domestic product, AFP reported.

With its new astro-tourism initiative, the African nation is seeking to position itself as a leading destination for astronomy enthusiasts and adventure travelers, according to its tourism ministry.

The initiative will include guided night sky tours, astrophotography expeditions, educational workshops, and starlit camp experiences, all designed to immerse visitors in the cosmos, it said.

"Astro-tourism is our opportunity to create awareness about the utility of space for socio-economic development," KSA deputy director of Space Research and Innovation Jacques Matara told AFP.

"This is something that could be game-changing, especially in our tourism sector."