Imagine this: There's no wind. The snow is crunching under your shoes. Around you stands a small group of expectant guests, well-dressed and with their noses pointed at the stars. Then you point - and suddenly they see Saturn's rings through the telescope. They gasp. Some get tears in their eyes. It's the first time they've seen something that isn't on Earth so close - with their own eyes.
This is the moment an Astroguide creates. Astrotourism is becoming a new trend in adventure tourism.
Solar observatory and Astronomen.no is now inviting tourism operators, nature experience companies and star nerds with communication skills to take the next step: Become a certified Astroguide!
One course - a new world
Astroguide course gives you the theoretical and practical tools you need to create true astral magic. You will learn:
- How to communicate the wonders of the universe in a way that guests actually understand.
- How to prepare an observation session out in nature.
- How to use - and explain - a telescope.
- How to put together a stellar evening that will leave a mark in your guests' memory books.
It's not about knowing all the names of the moon's craters or explaining Einstein's theory of relativity. It's about communication. About experience. And about making the complex understandable - outside, in the dark, under the sky.
A growth industry in the making
- "We see enormous potential for astrotourism in Norway," says Dr Vegard Rekaa, CEO of Astronomen AS. "Not just because we have access to darkness, but because we have a nature, a culture and a tourism industry that is set up for this. The only thing missing is the knowledge and tools to take guests on this journey. That's what we now offer.
Astrotourism isn't just hype. It's a growing international niche - with terms like dark sky, night tourism and darkcation. People are travelling to experience starry skies, night darkness and cosmic phenomena. Many have grown up without ever having seen the Milky Way. Think about it - for them, Norway is an adventure, just because we has darkness.
And while Northern Lights tourism has long been the preserve of Northern Norway, astrotourism is available to the whole country. Whether you're glamping in Gudbrandsdalen, have a DNT cabin in Setesdal, or offer gourmet experiences on the Helgeland coast - the stars are everywhere.
From participant to certified intermediary
The course is divided into two:
- Theory part - Here you'll learn how to talk about space, organise an observation evening and handle different types of guests and expectations.
- Practical part - here you get to know the equipment. Telescopes, star charts, torches and the little tricks that turn a clear winter evening into an unforgettable adventure.
After completing the course, you'll be certified as an Astroguide - and you and your company will be listed as part of a national astrotourism network. You'll also receive marketing materials and annual recertification, so you'll always be up to date on new methods, celestial events and guest trends.
Sign up - before places disappear
We have it all: The darkness, the mountains, the silence and the infinite universe. Now we just need you to lead the way.
Want to know more about how you can become an Astroguide? Register your interest here!
Read more about the Astroguide course here
Next time you're standing under the stars, don't just look up - point up.
Show your guests something bigger. Something eternal. Something real.
Become an Astroguide.
