Protecting the night sky
in the Sölktäler Nature Park
A dark night sky where you can see stars: What seems completely normal to people in our region is no longer a given worldwide. Light pollution caused by strong, unnatural lighting is increasing rapidly and negatively impacting people and the environment.
According to a recent international study, light pollution in Europe is increasing rapidly at about 6% per year. This is causing natural night skies to disappear further and faster, and more than a third of the Austrian population can no longer see the Milky Way with the naked eye where they live. While stars are becoming increasingly less visible, the phenomenon also poses a major threat to people and the environment. A lack of darkness impairs people's sleep quality and therefore has a negative impact on health. Artificial light disturbs migratory birds and fish, which use the starry sky for orientation, and harms nocturnal insects and bats.
Therefore, the Sölktäler Nature Park is seeking certification as an "international star park" by DarkSky International (DarkSky) to continue protecting the sky above the Sölk Mountains from light pollution. "Dark Sky Places" are dedicated to public outreach, light pollution monitoring, and the use of sustainable outdoor lighting. Since 2021, Austria has only had one such certified area, the Attersee-Traunsee Star Park.
The project is being scientifically supervised by Dr. Stefan Wallner (Dark Sky Austria, University of Vienna – Institute of Astrophysics), who explains why the Sölk Mountains are particularly suitable for this project: "The Lower Tauern Mountains are located at the continental minimum in Central Europe in terms of light pollution, and the Sölktäler Nature Park is right at the center of this."
6 star places
Where the sky tells stories
In the Schladming-Dachstein region, night becomes an experience: At six unique stargazing spots, you'll immerse yourself in the fascinating world above our heads – from the shining planets of our solar system to distant galaxies millions of light-years away.
Each spot offers you a different perspective on the universe and reveals what is normally hidden in the city lights!
Events in the Sölktäler Nature Park
Explore the starry sky with astronomer Stefan Wallner and be amazed at everything there is to discover. Weather permitting, you'll have the opportunity to gaze at the sky through a telescope.
