National Meteor Watch Day is observed every year on June 30. This day encourages people worldwide to look up to the stars to witness one of the most thrilling night sights. Also known as the ‘shooting star,’ a meteor is a visible streak of light from a heated and glowing meteoroid falling through the Earth’s atmosphere. Often, shooting stars are referred to as wish-fulfillers. Meteors are actually very small in size and can vary from the size of a closed fist to the size of a pebble. Reportedly, thousands of meteoroids enter the Earth’s atmosphere on a daily basis; however, very few of them actually reach the surface, and when they do, they are called ‘meteorites.’ We at LatestLY, have curated several places in India where you can enjoy amazing stargazing at night.
Meteors have existed since time immemorial; it took scientists time to discover them. They gained a lot of attention in the 19th century and became the study of many astronomers. People have been intrigued by the various sizes and weights of meteors. Some are huge and weigh over 60 tons, while others can be as small as pebbles that can be held in hands. The largest meteorite that hit the planet was found in Namibia in 1920. Large Meteor Spotted Blazing Across Homes in Night Sky in The UK; Videos of The Glowing Fireball Go Viral, Leaving Stargazers Stunned.
Stargazing can never go wrong, and you can experience the same if you’re located in India. There are several places in India where you can enjoy stargazing. We will list some places in the country to enjoy stargazing at the night sky. Take a look:
1. Nubra Valley, Jammu Kashmir
Turtuk is one of the farthest northerly villages in India, nestled amidst the mountain ranges. It is one of the entries to Siachen Glacier and strategically significant for being located in the Nubra Valley, where you need a permit to enter. Nubra provides an excellent opportunity to stargaze in the night sky, in addition to the historic monasteries and Bactrian camel rides. Schedule a road trip from Leh to Nubra Valley to witness the stargaze.
2. Neil Island, Andaman And Nicobar Islands
This place is considered to be the ideal location as this tiny island is surrounded by the Bay of Bengal 40 kilometres northeast of Port Blair. You can witness stunning view when the water blends with the starry night sky after sunset. As the sky is clear all year long, the stars seem to be only a hand’s length away from this location.
3. Rann Of Kutch, Gujarat
Rann of Kutch is the biggest salt marsh on Earth. It is also known for its mudflats, marshlands, and clean night sky views. You can witness the six magnitudes of stars from the location with naked eyes.
4. Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh
Owing to its high elevation, clear skies and absence of light pollution, Spiti Valley in Himachal Pradesh is another destination where you can enjoy stargazing in India. In the nighttime, the sky glitters and displays Milky Way and stars. It is above 4270 metres above sea level. Kibber or Kyibar in the Spiti Valley is the highest motorable village in the world where you can enjoy stargazing.
5. Coorg, Karnataka
It is a premier hill station in the middle of the Western Ghats mountain range. The clear and tranquil environment of Coorg transforms the night sky into a majestic screen for stargazing. You can watch stars peeking from behind the mountain peaks.
Thus, find yourself mesmerised by stargazing in these destinations that offer unique landscapes and clear skies. All enthusiasts are sure to be impressed by the phenomenon. Whether you’re an avid astronomer or simply a lover of the night sky, these places will provide you with the perfect opportunity to celebrate National Meteor Watch Day and make a wish for a shooting star.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 30, 2024 02:42 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
