Find a dark spot tonight, because with a bit of luck you can view the Milky Way. “It is clear and there is no disturbing moon,” Theo Jurriens sums up the most important conditions.
According to the astronomer from Meppel, you should flee the city, because there is too much artificial light there. “Not in the center of Emmen or Assen, but in beautiful Dwingeloo,” he gives as an example.
“That glow is actually billions of stars very far away. Many people think that the starry sky is the universe around us. But the stars we see are astronomically close. That glow of stars is much further away.”
Jurriens has another tip for those who want to witness the phenomenon. “What people often forget is that eyes need some time to get used to the dark.”
“I am now standing in a lit room,” says Jurriens. “When I go outside now, my eyes are spoiled by that light. You therefore have to let your eyes get used to the dark for fifteen minutes.”