South Tyrol: The most beautiful starry skies in Italy can be seen here

Summer is a time of suffering for Stephanie Wolters. “When fall finally comes, I will be happier every day,” says the amateur astronomer. A sentiment that other avid stargazers can relate to as well: “The nights in summer are too short for astronomical darkness.”

Stephanie Wolters, who everyone calls Steffi, is the president of the amateur astronomer Max Faller. Her favorite place is the observatory in the South Tyrol town of Gomer, where she regularly offers groups of visitors an insight into the depths of the universe. The tour lasts 1.5 hours.

Why does the Sun later become a black dwarf, why is the Moon actually colored, and what are black holes? -Stevie Walters knows the answers. She patiently explains the connections. But the 58-year-old also knows: “The more we find out, the more questions we have.”

The South Tyrolean, who works full time as an astronomy teacher introducing children to astrology, draws attention at the observatory to the double star Isar in Ursa Major. The observatory's main telescope, which weighs 3,500 kilograms, suddenly begins to move and fixes the duo. Little by little, visitors look through the camera lens. “Our Earth and the Moon sure look alike from a distance,” says a happy little boy.

No – this misunderstanding can be quickly cleared up, because neither the Earth nor the Moon shines. “But there are many things in the universe that, based on what we know so far, shouldn't really exist,” says Stevie Wolters, who as a little girl wondered how it all happened when she looked up at the starry sky. “I still don't have the answer to that,” the lithe woman laughs as the telescope focuses on the globular cluster M 13. She mounts her camera on the device to photograph the phenomenon in the northern sky and make it easier for the group to see.

Bolzano reduced light pollution

Gomer and Steinig near Posen together form the first European star village. The most beautiful starry skies in Italy can be found here, far from annoying light sources. The fact that there is excellent astronomical darkness at night in Eigenthal is not due in the least to the law. The state capital of Bolzano has already adopted guidelines to reduce light pollution in 2022.

In Steenej and the surrounding villages, all street lamps were gradually replaced with new lighting that directed the light beam only downward. “We were able to reduce light pollution by 20 percent,” says Steffi. An important prerequisite so that the area, where the great Sciliar and its enchanting rose garden dominate during the day, can focus on cosmic monuments.

In addition to the observatory, there is also a solar observatory, a planetarium and a planetary path. Our solar system can be “migrated” to this on a scale of 1:1 billion. It is only a few steps from the Sun to Mercury, Venus and Earth, and much further than Saturn, Jupiter and finally Pluto, which lies less than six kilometers from the starting point. If you take time to read the informational signs along the way, you'll be on the road for about two hours.

Educational night excursions are also part of the European Star Village's cosmic displays. A ground-based home game by Steffi Wolters, who can explain more about luminous events in the sky. Spica, Aldebaran or Antares – the amateur astronomer knows them all and talks about them like old acquaintances.

Using small models along the way, she talks about the size, weight, temperature, and neighborhood conditions of stars. “Sirius in Canis Major is the brightest star in the entire night sky,” explains Steffi Wolters. “It is 240 million years old, and is one of the youngest planets, but its luminosity is 26 times greater than that of our Sun.”

An exceptional night in South Tyrol

The evening tour lasts from two to three hours, during which the 58-year-old also turns her gaze downward. “Many animals are nocturnal, and need darkness,” she says, pointing to some alpine scorpions with the beam of her ultraviolet flashlight. Who are searching for food on a stone wall. The short excursion ends on the hotel's roof terrace “Steingerhof” – With an unobstructed view of the starry sky.

“Great,” marvels an elderly woman. “Is there life out there somewhere?” Steffi asks. “It is estimated that there are 400 billion stars in our galaxy alone, and each of them has at least one planet.” “So we cannot imagine that we are alone in the universe. However, this is light years away from us…”

But the moon is right next door. There's even a piece of Steinegger's recreated lunar landscape “Hotel Oberwirt”. Hotel director Roland Schröfinger not only recreated the rock field seven meters high, but also placed a replica of Apollo 11. An installation in which up to four people can stay overnight. “I didn't want a boring, themed room,” the 50-year-old recalls of his thoughts on the cosmic contribution. “Then I came up with the idea of ​​the lunar module, recreated as faithfully as possible.”

They are successful. The copy is shaking, steaming, and looks ready for take-off. Or standing completely still under the starry sky – depending on which buttons the amateur astronaut presses in the reproduced command center. A suite for a private night where the unearthed experience costs €600.

More information:

Gomer Observatory: Guided tours every Thursday and Friday (from 9pm in summer, from 8pm in winter); Adults €8, children (6-14 years) €4, registration required, tel: 0039/371 6761428, sternwarte.it

Guided night hike: From April to the end of October every Thursday, meeting point at 9pm at the church in Steinegg, adults €14, children (6-13 years) €5.

Planet path: Nine kilometers/315 metres; Start at Gomer Observatory.

Tourism in Egental: suedtirol.info; eggental.com/de

Participation in the trip was supported by Eggental Tourismus. Our standards for transparency and journalistic independence can be found at go2.as/independence.