SHANGHAI
On 22 July, the longest total solar eclipse of the 21st century will take place. To experience its full six minutes 39 seconds, you’ll have to be exactly 100km south of the Bonin Islands in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. In China, the eclipse will follow the line of the Yangtze River and will be visible from cities including Chongqing, Hankou and Shanghai. Head to Dishui Lake just outside Shanghai for three and a half minutes of totality – but don’t forget your protective specs. Stay at the brand new Langham Yangtze Boutique (yangtzeboutique.langhamhotels.com), the city’s only five-star Art Deco boutique hotel. Its rooftop Pearl dining room has floor-to-ceiling windows and views of the city. From £191 per night.
MIAMI
Have lunch with a veteran Nasa astronaut at the Kennedy Space Center ( ksc.nasa.gov ) before taking a guided tour of Cape Canaveral – surely the world’s most iconic space-related site. In July the centre has astronaut training programmes for civilians to try – sign up and you’ll find out what rigorous tests astronauts are put through, with realistic simulators and rocket-building classes.
NEWCASTLE
The new £480,000 Kielder Observatory (kielderobservatory.org) just outside Newcastle in the Northumberland countryside is now open for visitors. Located 1,270ft above England’s most remote village, it’s a long way from city light pollution. Its Star Camps – nights camping under the stars with special astronomy talks and activities – have been named among the world’s top star parties by Sky at Night magazine. The next is in October, or call them to organise a spot of solo camping and stargazing in the observatory’s grounds. The architecture alone is worth a visit. Star Camps cost from £10 per night.
CHILE
Down in the southern hemisphere, the Elqui Valley (elquidomos.cl) in Chile is said to have the clearest views of the heavens you can find. It’s popular as a place for astronomical research, alien spotting and pisco drinking, although not necessarily in that order. Stay at the Elqui Domos for a heavenly treat. The seven two-storey geodesic domes have star-viewing windows and detachable roofs and the management can arrange trips to local observatories, horse riding and desert walks. From £58 per night.
AUSTRALIA
The 40th anniversary of the moon landing will be celebrated spectacularly in New South Wales. Why Australia? Well, the Parkes Observatory radio telescope was the first dish to receive TV signals from the moon, and the unit is opening to the public during 18-19 July to show how it was done. Also check out the Aurora Australis – the antipodean answer to the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) – on view at this time of the year. Try camping on a cold clear night in Tasmania for the best chance to see them. parkes.atnf.csiro.au, discovertasmania.co.uk
TOULOUSE
With its history of pioneering aeronautics and space exploration, Toulouse offers some serious stargazing this month to mark the International Year of Astronomy. Adventure park Space City celebrates 40 years since man first stood on the moon with a cine-concert on 20 July and night-time events on 24 July. Contact cite-espace.com for details.
The Pic du Midi de Bigorre (picdumidi.com), the astronomical observatory located atop the Hautes-Pyrénées, hosts Nights at the Summit in July, where guests stay overnight at the observatory with dinner, a guided tour and a moonlit stargazing session with the experts – book ahead for an English guide. From £270.
Finally, Le Grand Balcon Hotel (grandbalconhotel.com), where France’s pioneering pilots stayed, reopened last year. Book the St Exupéry suite for décor inspired by the golden age of flight. From £310 per night.
