Adapt to The Dark/The Stars Can’t Shine without The Darkness
Be one with the wilderness and let your other senses take over within the 30 minutes needed for your eyes to adjust to the darkness. And if you’re really serious about stargazing, come to Stardeck where we have installed cherry red lights with a little help from our friends from Dark Sky. These non-glare lights will help enhance your vision in the dark. Don’t forget to give your eyes a break every 20 minutes or so when you stargaze.
Stargazing Tools/Get Your Telescope Ready
Each room is equipped with a private telescope, but if you were hoping to take a photo of the stars, head over to Stardeck. Our special telescope allows you to capture the glistening beauty of the stars and transmit these images to your phone. Plus, you can unwind with an amazing cocktail as you try to spot the constellations in the sky.
Am I in The Right Place?/Location, Location, Location
The dark is essential for the stars to sparkle in the sky. Though Marasca is only a few hour’s drive from Bangkok, our nature setting is worlds apart from the city and its artificial lights, and is perfect for seeking out the stars in the sky (our resort has been credited as an official stargazing location by the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s Dark Sky project). To begin stargazing, know your directions and look north so you can see the stars’ rotation clearly.
And in The Right Time?/Open Season
In Thailand, the best season to stargaze is during the colder months (from November to January) when the sky is clear. The air can get hazy from late January to mid-April, making it difficult to see the sky, but the rains that usually come after Songkran can wash away the haze and pollution. But it will be difficult to map out the constellations if there are nimbus clouds.
Moon Calendar/The Moon’s Endless Dance
Stargazing is best when there is little moonlight. Avoid nights when the moon is full and hangs high in the sky from sunset till dawn as fewer constellations and nebulae can be seen. The moon is in your way? No problem. Get to some moon gazing and capture some amazing pictures on your phone.
Is That a Star?/Go Star-hopping
It’s not easy to distinguish a star from another planet. Get some help from stargazing apps Sky Map (Android) or Star Walk (iOS). Just point your mobile device at the sky and the app will tell you if it is a star and its name.
