How one disappointing night changed the way I plan my astrotourism adventures

Milky way galactic core stretching across the sky full of stars. there are tents in the foreground, bathed in soft golden glow from the lights within.

Decades ago, when I was beginning my journey as a stargazer, I found myself at a so-called "night sky experience" in a remote location that, on paper, ticked every box. We were a small group — enthusiastic, hopeful and excited, having driven into the middle of nowhere to meet an astronomer. We were all standing under a dark, protected sky.

But there, on the rise as the session began, was a big, bright, just-past-full moon. There was no Milky Way, and just a few bright stars clung on.