There will be an amazing view of the Trenggalek night sky which can only be seen when it is dark: it is completely protected from light pollution. The stunning sight is the cluster of stars of the Milky Way Galaxy.
Quoting from Infoastronomi.org, the Milky Way Galaxy is home to 400 billion flying stars. Including the earth, where we live, which always revolves around the sun in its orbit.
Our sun as the main star in the solar system is the largest source of energy on earth, and it turns out that our sun in this galaxy is not alone.
Previously, quoting from the NASA website, the galaxy was a large collection of gas, dust, and billions of stars and their solar systems, all held together by gravity.
Not only there are stars, in a galaxy there is also a star system with a very large size, the composition consists of countless stars.
Apart from that, within the galaxy there are also planets, clusters, asteroids, nebulae, comets to cosmic dust and gas flying in the vast universe.
For information, the Milky Way Galaxy has a diameter of 100,000 light years or 950,000,000,000,000,000 km (read: nine hundred and fifty quadrillion). So, the sun is a small speck of dust among the many stars in the night sky.
In a vast universe dominated by dark matter, it makes the light of stars that gather in a galaxy so sparkling. Like countless fireflies in the sky.
Unfortunately, to see the view of the Milky Way sky filled with stars is often overlooked. Either we are too busy with world affairs or don’t have the opportunity to witness it.
The Best Time to See the Milky Way Galaxy
The best time to see the clusters of stars in the Milky Way is at night. Including in Trenggalek, we can actually see it with the naked eye and or using a telescope.
Unfortunately, three conditions must be met in order for Trenggalek residents to be able to witness this amazing view of the sky.
The three conditions for seeing the stars in the Milky Way in Trenggalek are as follows:
1. Sunny weather
The weather is clear and the night sky is not covered by clouds is the first condition. If the sky is clear without being blocked by clouds, then the view will be free from obstructions.
The entire sky will be seen so clearly from Kutho Alen-alen Trenggalek. The twinkling stars will decorate the sky with their magic.
To fulfill the first requirement is relatively easy, all we have to do is watch the night sky during the dry season.
2. During the Season of the Milky Way
Actually, throughout the year, the cluster of stars or the Milky Way Sash can always be seen from the earth. However, there are times when the sling rises during the day so that the light loses to the sun.
There is a term in the world of astronomy, namely the Seasons of the Milky Way. Launching from the Capture The Atlas page, the Milky Way Season is the right time to be able to see the center (center) of the Milky Way at night surrounded by sparkling light.
For information, our galaxy is spiral shaped and the location of the earth is not too central and not too peripheral.
The Milky Way season occurs between February and early October. Meanwhile, in February and March it is not so ideal because in Trenggalek it can rain so that is not possible.
Luckily again, because Trenggalek’s location is not too far from the equator, the Milky Way season can last a long time.
Unlike the regions in the northern and southern hemispheres which are quite far from the equator.
Also, the best time to view the Milky Way is from midnight to dawn. So, when you run sahur for Ramadan fasting later, you can witness a beautiful view of the night sky.
3. Free from light pollution
The last requirement to be able to witness the view of the Milky Way Galaxy must be in a dark place and free from light pollution.
Of all the conditions that have been mentioned, if an area has light pollution then witnessing the Milky Way galaxy is a failure, except with the help of a telescope.
This light pollution comes from various sources such as street lighting, house lights, and others.
Therefore, to be able to witness the view of the night sky filled with starlight, the people of Trenggalek must turn off all the lights together at night.
So that it will be dark and you can easily witness the stunning view of the sky.
Besides turning off the lights, there are other alternatives. Namely go to a high place and avoid light pollution. As in the mountains far from settlements.
Of course going to a place like this is quite inconvenient for those who are not used to it. Because we also have to set up tents and camp in the open.
