Archive · 3 Aug 2025
Ladakh Youths Become 'Astro-Ambassadors' for Stargazing Future
In a remote village in Ladakh called Hanle, some young people are becoming 'astro-ambassadors'.
They're learning all about stars and telescopes.
Hanle has really dark skies, perfect for seeing stars.
They're trained to show tourists the amazing things in space, like planets and the Milky Way.
This helps bring more tourists to Hanle.
The local government and an astronomy institute are working together.
The goal is to help the young people earn more money.
They also want to protect the dark skies from light pollution, so everyone can keep enjoying the stars.
Youths in Hanle, Ladakh, are training as 'astro-ambassadors' to offer stargazing experiences.
Hanle is home to the Indian Astronomical Observatory (IOA) and the first dark sky reserve in India.
The initiative aims to boost tourism and provide income through stargazing and related activities.
Astro-ambassadors received training on telescope operation and celestial body identification.
Efforts are underway to address sustainability and minimize light pollution within the reserve.
- Who
- Youths of Hanle, IIA (Indian Institute of Astrophysics), UT Ladakh, tourists.
- What
- Youths in Hanle, Ladakh, are becoming 'astro-ambassadors' for stargazing.
- When
- The astro-ambassador program started after the declaration of the Hanle Dark Sky Reserve in December 2022.
- Where
- Hanle, Ladakh, a border village in India.
- Why
- To promote astro-tourism, increase income, and preserve the dark skies.
Stakeholders
Tourists
Light pollution
Stakeholders
The program focuses on sustainable tourism to avoid light pollution
Tourists
Tourist's need clear sky at night
- Location
- Hanle, Ladakh, India
- Reserve Status
- India's first dark sky reserve
- Initiative
- Astro-ambassadors
- Training
- 15 days by IIA
- Telescopes
- 8-inch telescopes provided
- Tourists
- Spotting the Milky Way, Saturn, Jupiter and pole star