GLOW2.0 Dark Sky Thematic Resources
Useful resources from GLOW2.0 and other external sources
Arctic Night and Darkness (ENG)
Light pollution has gradually increased so much that arctic winter nights have largely disappeared unnoticed. Measurements of Night sky brightness taken from the ground prove the disappearance of night i.e., darkness, and how far light pollution is spreading in the arctic region. Read results of Syrjävaara's Dark Sky center in Finland that maintains online remote controlled night sky brightness measurement stations in three regions of Eastern Finland namely Juuka, Kaavi and Tuusniemi.
Arctic Night and Darkness
Template of Good Practices for Dark Skies Tourism (ENG)
This template outlines a set of good practices and criteria for attaining and utilising Dark Sky status as a driver for tourism and economic development. It has been developed as part of the Interreg Northern Periphery and Arctic project GLOW2.0 (2022–2025), which supports rural communities and enterprises in Iceland, Norway, Finland, and Ireland to grow sustainably through dark skies tourism. The template provides a practical set of best practices that destinations can adapt when developing tourism linked to night skies cultural and natural heritage. By integrating these good practices, destinations can create a sustainable dark sky experience that: • attract visitors during the darker winter months • strengthen local economies and create green business opportunities • support cultural and natural preservation and • raise awareness of the importance of protecting our night skies.
Template of Good Practices for Dark Skies Tourism
Venejoen Mylly 360 Virtual Tour (ENG)
Venejoen Mylly (Venejoki Mill) participated in GLOW2.0 workshops and was assisted by Karelia's experts in utilising immersive technologies and dark sky as added value in their marketing. Virtual tour of Venejoen Mylly is a wonderful example of how small businesses can make use of new technologies.
https://venejoenmylly.com/venejoen-myllyn-360/
Recommendations & Strategies to Strengthen and Elevate Dark Sky Tourism (ENG)
This GLOW2.0 document offers recommendations for tourism companies, organisations, or regions located within the Northern Periphery and Arctic area that are interested in Dark Sky tourism or light pollution prevention and protection. It is an outcome of NPA GLOW2.0 Northern Periphery and Arctic project survey that aimed at identifying the preservation efforts and initiatives for Dark Sky areas and light pollution in participating Northern Periphery and Arctic regions. This GLOW2.0 document offers recommendations for tourism companies, organisations, or regions located within the Northern Periphery and Arctic area that are interested in Dark Sky tourism or light pollution prevention and protection. It is an outcome of NPA GLOW2.0 Northern Periphery and Arctic project survey that aimed at identifying the preservation efforts and initiatives for Dark Sky areas and light pollution in participating NPA regions. The study examined the existing strategies to Dark Sky Tourism in Ireland, Finland, Northwest Iceland, and Norway within the context of the NPA region. With a focus on regional development and policy implementation, the study offers unique approaches and initiatives adopted by these countries, shedding light on the workings of their respective regional landscapes.
Review Paper of Current Status and Strategies with regards to Dark Sky Tourism
Darkness and Light Pollution Information Boards (ENG & FIN)
What is the significance of darkness to the nature and people? What kind of stories and activities link to darkness? GLOW2.0 created information boards on the subject of darkness for visitors of all ages. Illustrated by Teemu Åke and Anniina Löytönen, these boards communicate the message of natural darkness in a beautiful way. Downloadable versions available on our website via link below.
https://www.interreg-npa.eu/projects/glow20/home/outputs-results/#:~:text=Darkness%20and%20Light%20Pollution%20Information%20Boards
Light pollution in the European Union - Science Brief (ENG)
European Commission: Directorate-General for Environment, Light pollution – Mitigation measures for environmental protection, Publications Office of the European Union, 2023.
Science for Environment Policy Future Brief 28 (EC)
Tulevaisuuden kestävä matkailu on pimeän peitossa (FIN)
In UAS Journal article "Sustainable tourism in the future is shrouded in darkness" GLOW2.0 partners with Finnish expert on Dark Sky preservation and tourism Olli Reijonen give an insight on how the natural darkness could benefit tourism in Finland and what is the overall significance of darkness for the ecosystem. Language: Finnish
https://uasjournal.fi/2-2024/tulevaisuuden-kestava-matkailu-on-pimean-peitossa/
Matalan kynnyksen ratkaisut: Tähtienkatselulava SketchUp 3D-ohjelmalla (FIN)
"Low-threshold solutions: Star-gazing platform with SketchUp 3D software" is a ThingLink-based training material that introduces users to the SketchUp software for creating their own designs. Language: Finnish, no translation available.
https://www.thinglink.com/scene/2049458564384162469
Pimeän pilkahduksia podcast (FIN)
Pimeän pilkahduksia (Glimpses of Darkness) is a 3 episode podcast produced by GLOW2.0 project's partner Karelia University of Applied Sciences. The podcast features discussions with experts from various fields on how protecting darkness and natural nighttime can add value to tourism services. Language: Finnish Guests: Olli Reijonen (ep 1) Pasi Vahimaa (ep 2) Pasi Klemettinen (ep 3)
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6nO2oisAwPzFSHbloMAqiz?si=UZL_qKVySpWWa3WE0uqLGA
GLOW2.0 webinars
Here you can find our recorded webinars.
Night sky friendly lighting (FI) 5.11.2025
A free webinar organized by Karelia University of Applied Sciences' GLOW2.0 project brings together experts to discuss darkness, light, and the role of lighting from the perspective of sustainable development. Language is Finnish, subtitles are recommended for non-finnish speakers. Speakers: Jari Lyytimäki, Senior Researcher, Finnish Environment Institute SYKE & Annukka Larsen, Lighting Designer, WSP Finland Oy. Language: Finnish
Low season travel - Harnessing the Magic of Darkness and Dark Skies 4.2.2025
Numerous sources like the BBC and Booking.com have predicted the key tourism trends for 2025 as being; off-the-beaten-track travel, Noctourism (nighttime travel experiences), Coolcation and Calmcation (quiet destinations). The webinar brings two Interreg projects; Light in the Dark and GLOW 2.0, together on the themes of seasonality in rural tourism and dark sky tourism.
Katse Taivaalle! Look to the Sky! 23.1.2025 - Taivo Productions (FI)
Exploring the night sky indoors with a planetarium: introducing the nature, movement and types of objects in the night sky. Presentations from GLOW2.0 Regional webinar in Finland – Katse Taivaalle!, held 23.1.2025. Language: Finnish, auto-translated subtitles are suggested for non-Finnish speakers.
Katse Taivaalle! Look to the Sky! 23.1.2025 - Syrjävaara Goodnight
Dark-sky preserve as a visitor destination and the infrastructure needed. Observing the quality of the night sky and observing and recording its phenomena.Presentations from GLOW2.0 Regional webinar in Finland – Katse Taivaalle!, held 23.1.2025. Language: Finnish, auto-translated subtitles are suggested for non-Finnish speakers.
Katse Taivaalle! Look to the Sky! 23.1.2025 - Arctic Stargazing tours
Creating a tourism product around the starry sky visible in the dark. Important partners and how to acquire them from the point of view of entrepreneurship: what is needed to start a business and what should be thought of as a strategy for the first years. Presentations from GLOW2.0 Regional webinar in Finland – Katse Taivaalle!, held 23.1.2025. Language: Finnish, auto-translated subtitles are suggested for non-Finnish speakers.
Katse Taivaalle! Look to the Sky! 23.1.2025 - Aurora Village
What should be taken into account when designing a product for the dark period: location and accessibility, taking light pollution into account to increase the intensity of the experience, providing equipment, weather conditions. Presentations from GLOW2.0 Regional webinar in Finland – Katse Taivaalle!, held 23.1.2025. Language: Finnish, auto-translated subtitles are suggested for non-Finnish speakers.
Regional and Global Approaches to Dark Sky Tourism
Regional and Global Approaches to Dark Sky Tourism webinar 25.3.2025 offered views on eastern Finland's tourism strategies and the possibilities to utilise Dark Skies in tourism. Speakers: Helena Puhakka-Tarvainen / Lietsu Services Ltd, Vilma Lehtovaara / ELY-Centre, North Karelia Biosphere Reserve, Otto Huhta / Seulaset Ry, Seija Karhu / Kaavi municipality & Olli Reijonen / Syrjävaara Oy, Terhi Millar / Visit Karelia/Business Joensuu.
Under One Sky 2025 Workshop three: Astrotourism for conservation & economic development
GLOW2.0 partner Daisy Silvennoinen joined panel discussion in Under One Sky seminar 18.11.2025 hosted by DarkSky International.
GLOW2.0 Stories
During our project period, we explored many aspects of Dark Sky Tourism and immersive technologies. We have collected our findings, benchmarking reports and seminar presentations below.
Glow2.0 WP3 BAP Conference Om Dark Sky Park
This report provides an overview of GLOW2.0 Irish partners' participation in the British Planetarium Conference 2023, hosted at Armagh Planetarium, and our visits to OM Dark Sky Park and Observatory, as well as Sperrinview Glamping site. Throughout the conference, various themes were explored, topics such as the promotion of dark skies tourism, technological advancements like Virtual Reality (VR), and the innovative concept of a mobile planetarium.
Period 1 2022 2025 GLOW2.0 May 2023 Benchmarking Trip ARVR RDS
ARVR is one of the premier conferences in Europe that focuses on commercial application of AR and VR, this event started in 2014. The main purpose GLOW2.0 was part of this trip was to further explore and gain knowledge in Virtual Reality Experiences. We wanted to explore the available options in the market to aid with the technical specification for the virtual planetarium. Read our key learnings & recommendations on AR/VR/Immersive technologies!
Helena Puhakka Tarvainen Lietsu Services Ltd
Lietsu Boutique Aparthotel in Joensuu, Finland has aimed to act sustainably since the beginning of the business. Lietsu draws from the Karelian culture both in the hotel’s interior design, service attitude and at the breakfast table. From GLOW2.0's Regional and Global Approaches to Dark Sky Tourism seminar 25.3.2025.
Vilma Lehtovaara ELY Centre
Biosphere Reserves are learning places for sustainable development and offer many possibilities for sustainable and responsible tourism. From GLOW2.0's Regional and Global Approaches to Dark Sky Tourism seminar 25.3.2025.
Seija Karhu Kaavi Municipality
Kaavi, a municipality in eastern Finland, chose darkness as the basis of their new brand in 2023. In this presentation you'll find some useful resources to their podcasts and projects, that helped to make the change. From GLOW2.0's Regional and Global Approaches to Dark Sky Tourism seminar 25.3.2025.
Olli Reijonen Syrjavaara Goodnight Oy
Syrjävaara Goodnight, a Dark Sky -friendly destination in eastern Finland was in the process of applying for the Dark Sky Park status during GLOW2.0's duration. In Olli Reijonen's presentation you'll find notes from the process. From GLOW2.0's Regional and Global Approaches to Dark Sky Tourism seminar 25.3.2025.
Terhi Millar Visit Joensuu
There is plenty of opportunities to develop Dark Sky tourism in rural destinations. This presentation shows North Karelia's DMO's Visit Karelia's views on the topic. From GLOW2.0's Regional and Global Approaches to Dark Sky Tourism seminar 25.3.2025.
Ólöf Ýrr Atladóttir Regenerative Tourism Perspectives Iceland
In this presentation you'll learn the connection between Regenerative Tourism and Dark Sky Tourism. From GLOW2.0 Learning Journey Seminar in Blönduós, Iceland 8.10.2024.
Georgia Macmillan Citizen Science In Responsible Dark Sky Tourism
GLOW2.0 associated partner Mayo Dark Sky Park has pioneered in Dark Sky Tourism development in Ireland. Find out how they utilised citizen science in their endeavours. From GLOW2.0 Learning Journey Seminar in Blönduós, Iceland 8.10.2024.
Kristján Kristjansson Embracing Darkness In Lighting Design
A light designer Kristjan Kristjansson's view on designing night sky friendly lighting. From GLOW2.0 Learning Journey Seminar in Blönduós, Iceland 8.10.2024.
Sævar Helgi Iceland At Night With Northern Lights And Stargazing
Get some tips for the best areas and destinations to go star watching in Iceland. From GLOW2.0 Learning Journey Seminar in Blönduós, Iceland 8.10.2024.
Tony Johnston Dark Sky Ecotourism
Dark Sky ecotourism project (Erasmus+ KA2) promoted Dark Skies as heritage for ecotourism and rural tourism. From GLOW2.0 International webinar Embracing Dark Skies in Northern Periphery and Arctic Region 30.4.2024.
Duncan Wise Northumberland International Dark Sky Park
The economic value in Dark Sky Tourism, a case study of Dark Sky Tourism development around Northumberland National Park.From GLOW2.0 International webinar Embracing Dark Skies in Northern Periphery and Arctic Region 30.4.2024.
Louise Pearson Dark Skies Tourism Networking & Cooperation
Wester Ross Biosphere in Scotland hosts a variety of Dark Skies oriented events among their other activities. One of their initiatives is Wester Ross Dark Skies Festival. From GLOW2.0 International webinar Embracing Dark Skies in Northern Periphery and Arctic Region 30.4.2024.
Anne Bruvold GLOW2 0 Learning Journey
The Northern Lights Planetarium in Tromso, Norway has been in use since late 1980's. Anne Bruvold, astronomer and science adviser gives us an insight to the state of light pollution in Norway.From Embracing Dark Sky Tourism in Northern Periphery and Arctic Region stakeholder seminar held in Narvik, Norway on 7.2. 2024.