User:Av21/Astrotourism

Astro-Tourism

is a specialized branch of tourism that is influenced by the concept of astronomy and space sciences. It can be defined as: "Do astronomy while you travel or travel for the purpose of astronomy". It broadly states the scope of this concept of astro tourism and covers the range within which the programs, tours and concepts can be idealized.

The idea of combining astronomy and space sciences with travel can be attributed to no one, as nobody can surely point to the time or era when this concept was born. In India, SPACE Group of companies; promoting astronomy and space education for masses. Space Group is promoted by Sachin Bahmba, who is an amateur astronomer, eclipse chaser and an educationist. website of space:. Astrotourism website is:

There are many programs, packages, tours that have been done by people across the globe that can be fitted into the concept of astro tourism. Amateur astronomers, avid photographers of the skies and many more, have all undertaken travel to reach the destinations of their choice for the purpose of astronomy or star gazing. Space Agencies have been making people travel to outer space for quite some time now [which is referred to as Space Tourism]

But to put it objectively, the term astro-tourism should be attributed to dedicated efforts by people/companies/organizations to either undertake or promote the concept of traveling for astronomy purpose. Astronomy purpose, though is a wide term that encompasses a huge array of possibilities of travel and astronomy. Citing few examples could be Eclipse Chasing, Star Gazing trips, Star Parties, Astro-photography.

AstroTourism is being undertaken across countries, Chile is popular for its observatories and star parties, and there are various other locations too.

Eclipse chasing is also a popular passion for many. In India, remarkable instances was 2009 Total Solar Eclipse. Where a special India's first commercial Eclipse Flight was organized for people; another notable event was public watch organized at Taregana, Patna, Bihar which was attended by CM of Bihar State, Nitish Kumar and saw a gathering of more than 50,000 people watching an eclipse. This was phenomenal as there are many myths and superstitions associated with eclipses in India.

There are various other historical sites to visit for example Stonehenge in UK, Sun Temples in South India, Jantar Mantar in Delhi and Jaipur in India.

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