The Mumbikar's Guide to the Galaxy

From Maharashtra's fort bastions to its sandy coastlines and rice fields, city folk are going the distance to get their slice of celestial gazing thrills.The Trip decided to play guide along the way

Stargazing has fascinated mankind since ancient times. One doesn't really need much to gape at the stars. A terrace and great eyesight (though having a telescope does provide a distinct advantage) is all one needs to get a fantastic view of celestial bodies on a starlit night. However, if you want to try something refreshingly new this weekend, there are a number of excellent stargazing destinations that are within or just a short drive away from Mumbai.u00a0The Tripu00a0lists some of them.



Alibaug
Alibaug, Mumbai's favourite seaside weekend getaway, is a two-and-a-half hour drive or a 45-minute jetty ride away. This is where most fatigued souls head out to for a dose of rest and rejuvenation. Alibaug, according to S. Natarajan, an avid stargazer and amateur astronomer, besides being a great beach destination is also a perfect place for stargazing.

" It's a beach destination away from the city and the skies are far clearer than in Mumbai. Here, one can hope to spot clusters, nebulae, galaxies and planets."u00a0 The best time to visit Alibaug is between November and March where one can spot Orion nebula, beehive clusters, Jupiter with its four moons and even Saturn and its rings. For best viewing, carry a telescope.

Head to the beach spread a mat on the sand and gaze at the stars.u00a0 The Alibaug belt is also dotted with a number of comfortable staying options, depending on your budget, including Mahua Bagh, Prakruti Resorts and The Radisson that can be considered while planning your date with the stars.

Shahapur
Located in Shahapur, a village in Thane district, travel group Big Red Tent offers a camping ground for the stargazing-friendly. Barely a couple of hours away from Mumbai, the space includes a nursery along the banks of the Bhatsa River. The idea behind this place is to encourage camping where one can hire tents (one can also bring one's own equipment) and sleeping bags. But what does all this have to do with stargazing? Simple really, Rahil Mehta, the brains behind Big Red Tent says that they have been attracting a number of stargazers to the camp thanks to the location. "

Star gazing is most effective away from the light of the city. The absence of ambient light makes star gazing possible. We are a dimly lit location, in fact we call it orientation lighting only. This makes it ideal for stargazing. That apart, given the absence of smog and pollution this place has clear blue sky which means a great night of stargazing," says Mehta.

Though Big Red doesn't offer structured star gazing sessions, Mehta says a lot of enthusiasts have been bringing along telescopes and putting together impromptu sessions. Orion and the Pole Star can easily spotted from this destination even without a telescope.

Call 9930582878, Email: rahil@bigredtent.in

Vangani
During the monsoon months Vangani is a farming field where rice is cultivated. But come October and this place turns into one of the most frequented stargazing sites, located about 78 km from the city. Khagol Mandal an organisation that has been working to popularise astronomy organises star gazing sessions at Vangani from October through March. This is an overnight sky observation programme and is usually conducted on Saturdays close to a New Moon Day.u00a0

The programme starts at 6 pm and goes till 5 am. The session includes lectures, by experts, on different constellations, star clusters/nebulae/galaxies, artificial satellites, meteorites, comets but most importantly it is about viewing objects through the telescope. Milind Kale, of Khagol Mandal says that at Vangani one can hope to see stars, binary stars, clusters, galaxies, craters on the Moon, Jupiter's satellites and Saturn along with its rings meteorite showers and artificial satellites. Vangani is near Karjat and is an hour-and-a- half away by local train and a two-hour drive.

Call :9869610777 to participate in Khagol Mandal's stargazing initiatives

Rajgad and Torna Forts
Both these forts are ideal destinations for stargazing. Rajgad, from where Shivaji Maharaj ruled for nearly 26 years, has often been described as the 'king of forts'. Located in Pune district, Rajgad fort stands at a height of 1,350 m. Torna Fort is a short distance away from Raigad and stands at a height of 1,405m.

The Youth Hostels Association of India (YHAI) (Kandivali Unit) has been conducting trekking sessions to these forts for the last few years and stargazing is included as part of the trip. Keen stargazer Milind Shirgaonkar who has been guiding enthusiasts in Rajgad and Torna says that the forts are ideal destinations for star observation for a number of reasons.

"The heights of the forts provide an advantage. That's when there is a complete absence of smog and pollution making it easier to spot objects in the sky. Finally, the villages around these forts don't have electricity which helps to see stars far clearer." Shirgaonkar informs, that trekkers climb to the peak of the fort through the day and in the evening night star gazing sessions are conducted.

He says that soon after sunset and just before sunrise one can spot certain objects in the sky as one moves into the deeper in to the night the skyscape changes "It is easy to spot Jupiter and its four Moons, the Moon and its craters, various constellations, Venus and even Mars and artificial satellites of various countries including India."

For those who want a more exotic star gazing experience, here's a list of foreign destinations for sighting the best stars

Los Angelles
hile Los Angeles is known the world over for being home to biggest stars in the world (here we are talking the movie kind) a little-known fact is that this city is also a destination for fantastic stargazing. Los Angeles has the Griffith Observatory, which attracts budding astronomers like magnets. From the observatory one can spot, depending of course on the time of year, Jupiter, Venus, clear view of the Moon and a host of stars and nebulae.

Tuscany, Italy
It is said that Galileo Galileo, the 17th century astronomer and physicist used his invention the refracting telescope for the first time in Tuscany. Boasting an exquisite landscape, Tuscany is also said to be one of the world's best sites for stargazing. It is here that Galileo first spotted sunspots, craters on the moon and even Jupiter's four moons, which are known as Galilean Moons. Take the weeklong tour called "In the Footsteps of Galileo" and experience the Tuscan sky.

Hawaii
Dotted with volcanic peaks, Hawaii is recognised as a premier destination for serious stargazers. From here one can clearly spot favourites like the Milky Way and bands of Jupiter as well as the constellations of Orion.

Kiruna, Sweden
Kiruna is slated to become the hub of space tourism for Europe. There is the Estrange Space Center, a space research center that soon plans to start a spaceport from where wealthy travellers can take private journeys to space. Given the location in the far northern part of the globe the most fascinating sightings is the visibility of Aurora Borealis or the northern lights

New Mexico
here are high altitudes and clear skies all the essentials required for a perfect star observation experience. New Mexico's mountains allow exceptional views of Venus and Mercury, along with many constellations like Orion.

Stars in his eyes
S Natarajan was just seven when he discovered the pleasures of stargazing. For this honorary lecturer at Mumbai's Nehru Planetarium what started as a hobby became a passion. Now, for close to two decades he has made it his mission to educate not just Mumbaikars but also enthusiasts from across India about the joys of star observation and the galaxies beyond.

A self-taught amateur astronomy specialist, Natarajan began conducting free, voluntary star gazing shows for schools, colleges, in building terraces and offices in 1992, in Mumbai. Lugging along a five-inch reflector telescope for his sessions, Natarajan says, "When I look at the sky I feels humbled and realise what an insignificant speck I am, in relation to the vastness of the universe."

Having conducted almost 3,000 shows till date he says that as an astronomy guide one of his primary concerns while showing people stars is to dispel myths and superstitions.

"I have had eclipse shows at the seaside and have asked people to stop believing in superstitions and embrace science." Natarajan believes that the best time for viewing stars are between the months between November to March and even though Mumbai is covered with smog and pollution it is still possible to get star struck with a little help from the telescope. "You can see Jupiter and its moons, a distinct picture of the Moon, among other exciting sightings."

Call: S. Natarajan on 9869264477

Stargazer's Checklist
> Switch off flashlights, any white light or car headlights in the area of stargazing

> Plan your arrival before darkness falls so you can set up your telescope and related equipment before nightfall

> Depending on the season, carry appropriate clothing to keep you comfortable for an overnight session in the open

> Insect repellents are a must in forested areas

> Water, hot beverages and snacks to keep you awake and alert

> Don't litter ufffd carry back what you bring in

> Finally, a good pair of binoculars and a telescope

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