{
  "id": 10085661,
  "title": "The young women guiding tourists through India's night sky",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/26/the-young-women-guiding-tourists-through-indias-night-sky",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-09-26T23:02:47.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "BBC Science",
    "slug": "bbc-science",
    "url": "https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvp8d0nezkeko?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In the remote village of Hanle in India's Himalayan Ladakh region, strong winds blow across the landscape, yet the people remain undeterred. After dinner, instead of retreating to their homes, many gather outside to witness the wonders of the night sky. Nestled at an altitude of 14,764 feet (4,500 meters), Hanle is renowned for its exceptionally clear, dark skies, making it a prime destination for stargazers and astronomers alike.\n\nFour young women—Palzes Angmo, Tsering Dolker, Tsering Yangdol, and Padma Chamchot—serve as the village's astro-ambassadors, guiding visitors through the celestial realm. By day, these women, all in their late 20s, manage their family-run homestays, cooking meals, cleaning rooms, and attending to guests. As night falls, they unveil their true calling: setting up telescopes, tracing constellations with laser pointers, and elucidating the marvels of the night sky to their guests.\n\nPalzes Dolker, a 28-year-old ambassador, reminisces about the sky's consistent brilliance. \"The sky has always twinkled here,\" she notes. However, what has changed dramatically is the influx of tourists from distant lands, drawn by the celestial spectacle that locals have long taken for granted. Hanle's remote location, dry air, and minimal light pollution render its skies ideal for astronomical observation, offering clear skies on approximately 260 nights each year. The village is also home to the Indian Astronomical Observatory, operated by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, and holds the distinction of being designated as India's first Dark Sky Reserve in 2022, a move aimed at safeguarding its pristine skies from the encroachment of artificial light.\n\nSince the designation, visitor numbers have skyrocketed, rising from around 3,000 annually five years ago to nearly 30,000 in 2024-25, according to government data. This surge in tourism has unlocked new opportunities for the locals. In 2022, the Ladakh administration and Indian Institute of Astrophysics initiated a training program for 24 young individuals from Hanle and surrounding villages, equipping them with the skills to identify stars, planets, and constellations, navigate the night sky, operate telescopes, and capture stunning photographs of the Milky Way using their mobile phones. Among these trainees were the four astro-ambassadors, who, initially daunted by the equipment, gradually gained confidence in handling it.\n\nTheir journey from novices to proficient guides has been gradual yet rewarding. Initially, they harbored apprehensions about inadvertently damaging the delicate equipment. However, through perseverance and practice, they have become adept at using the telescopes and guiding visitors to marvel at celestial phenomena, such as the Moon's craters, Saturn's rings, and the luminous Milky Way. At 11 PM each night, the village transitions into a nocturnal realm, with lights dimmed to facilitate the viewing of the sky's celestial treasures. The women take great care in instructing visitors on the optimal settings for their mobile phones to capture the Milky Way, often transforming a solitary sighting into a shared experience.\n\nBeyond their celestial duties, the women's families operate homestays, providing accommodation and hospitality to the influx of tourists. Chamchot's family, for instance, runs one such homestay. While their families remain the primary source of income, the women's foray into astronomy has fortified their financial independence. They earn approximately 25,000 rupees ($260; £193) monthly from guiding stargazing sessions, charging 200 rupees per session. During the harsh winter months, when tourist activity dwindles, their earnings dip, yet this newfound financial autonomy has empowered them to save for personal indulgences, such as upgrading their mobile phones.\n\nThe women's transformation has not only been professional but also profoundly personal. They acknowledge a lack of confidence before embarking on this career path. Yet, the burgeoning popularity of Hanle has brought with it certain risks. The very tourism that bolsters the local economy also poses threats to the darkness that makes Hanle uniquely captivating. Increased tourist traffic, accompanied by construction and artificial light, jeopardizes the sky's pristine darkness, a key attraction for stargazers. Sonam Jorphail, a senior engineer and head of outreach at the Indian Astronomical Observatory, recognizes the dual nature of tourism's impact. While it fosters economic development and job creation, it necessitates careful management to preserve the dark skies that draw visitors to Hanle.\n\nFor the astro-ambassadors, the shift from apprehension to confidence has been profound. They express a desire to continue guiding visitors through the night sky, hoping for enhanced training and superior telescopes to enrich the stargazing experience. For them, Hanle is not merely a destination but a home where the night sky remains an integral part of their identity. They aspire to share this celestial wonder with their families, ensuring that the generations to come will also have the privilege of gazing upon the stars in the tranquil expanse of Hanle.",
  "summary": "Astronomy tourism is giving young women in Hanle income, confidence and a new role in their community.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}