A Celestial Guide To Stargazing at Uluru
Spending time under the stars in Uluru is truly a magical experience.
Uluru is an incredible travel destination for a number of reasons. You can see the incredible rock of Uluru, visit the domes of Kata Tjuta and much more. During the day there is plenty to see and do.
After watching a mesmerising Uluru sunset, you may want to stay put for a while and watch as the stars slowly start dotting the sky. You can try to count them, but soon you’ll see so many stars that you’ll lose track.
Stargazing in Uluru is one of the most magical things you can do. Some people even say that it’s the best place for stargazing in the entire world!
Where to stargaze in Uluru
There is no particular spot that is best for stargazing in Uluru. Because it is located so far from any cities, there is essentially no light pollution. This means that you can sit almost anywhere and see the incredible starry night sky.
What to spot while stargazing
With a lack of light pollution in the remote desert, there are endless things to spot in the expansive night sky.
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Milky Way
You will easily be able to spot the Milky Way, which can be recognised as the white streak across the sky. If you have seen the Milky Way before, you may have noticed that it looks bigger and brighter from Uluru. That’s because Australia almost faces the galactic centre of the Milky Way galaxy.
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Satellites and shooting stars
When looking closely, you can spot satellites drifting across the sky. If you’re patient, you can even see the occasional shooting star as it zooms past through space!
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Constellations
Many constellations in Uluru have different names and stories that accompany them according to stories from the Traditional Owners of the land. If you know what to look for, you’ll also be able to pick out the various constellations decorating the sky.
One of the most known constellations is the Southern Cross. This constellation played a major role in navigation throughout history. Today, it can be seen featured on the flag of several countries in the Southern Hemisphere. However, the constellation has a different meaning to the Central Desert people. To them, the constellation forms branches of a Native peach tree. When the constellation sits lower in the sky, it means that the peaches are ripe to eat.
Another more well-known constellation to try and spot is Orion’s Belt. This constellation comes with a story from the Yolgnu people. According to this story, rather than being a belt, the constellation represents three brothers sitting in a canoe.
Join a camping tour
One of the best ways to fully be immersed under the night sky is by camping in Uluru and this 3 day Uluru tour allows you to do just that!
On this tour, you’ll explore the highlights of Uluru, Kata Tjuta and Kings Canyon during the day. In the evenings, you’ll get to enjoy the vibrant sunsets before tucking into your campsite and falling asleep under the stars!