Tu B’Av – The Moon in Love - Lunar Eclipse at Mitzpe Ramon, July 27

Tu B’Av – The Moon in Love
Lunar Eclipse at Mitzpe Ramon, July 27

This year, on July 27^th, a perfectly timed eclipse will coincide with the Jewish holiday of love – Tu B’Av.

This exciting evening will be centered on a magnificent celestial phenomenon – a once-in-two-decades total lunar eclipse. The upcoming total eclipse will be an especially long one and will last two hours!

Moon in Love – an evening full of unique activities in Maktesh Ramon (Ramon Crater). Makhtesh Ramon was recently declared a UNESCO International Dark Sky Park. The Mitzpe Ramon area is blessed with starry desert skies and pristine natural outdoors, offering the perfect nighttime environment for visitors to enjoy the Negev’s unique sights and crystal-clear views of the stars and nature.

Our celebrations will focus on the lunar eclipse, with experience-packed activities designed for couples and families.

The Moon in Love is the brainchild of Nadav Silbert – outdoor and astronomy tour guide and owner and manager of the Bateva mobile star observatory and planetarium. Silbert, an avowed lover of nature and the stars, has been promoting Israel’s astronomy and stargazing culture for more than a decade.

“No child or adult should miss this rare sight, taking place just once every few decades, at this perfect ideal place,” says Silbert. “This is a wonderful opportunity to experience the desert around Mitzpe Ramon in all its glory, view the wonders of creation and understand why the Makhtesh was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.”

Why was Makhtesh Ramon declared a UNESCO Dark Sky Reserve?

This international title bestowed by UNESCO recognizes those sites around the world where the night sky is maintained in its natural state, preserving the unique appearance of the starry night sky in all its glory. In addition to the unique geological, ecological and scientific phenomena that are preserved in Makhtesh Ramon, and its breathtaking desert landscapes, the area is also known for the extraordinary quality of its starry night sky and its pristine nighttime desert environment. This is an outstanding place for stargazing – whether with the naked eye or by telescope – and for this reason the Tel Aviv University built its Wise Observatory on the crater’s cliff.

So far, only 54 other nature reserves and parks have been awarded this title in 15 countries around the world, mainly in the United States and in Europe, with no other site declared anywhere in the Middle East. This achievement places Israel at the global vanguard in environmental thought and reduction of light pollution, an issue whose importance to the environment, man and the global economy was only recently recognized.

The event will encompass 6 activity sites, which will operate from sunset to after midnight, with a choice of lodging and hospitality packages. Prices range from NIS 65 to 450, depending on the selected activity and package.

1.            Alpaca Farm – Unique activities at the Alpaca Farm, an experiential tour with telescope observations. Price: NIS 140 per person.

2.            Har Hanegev Vineyard – A package that includes an open-sky observation with laser pointers, open telescopes, explanations, lectures and activities and outdoor stations for couples and families. Camping: NIS 110 ages 3 and up. Lodging in shared air-conditioned tents – NIS 150 per person. A tour and oil tastings at the oil press will be held on the next day.

3.            Desert Shade – Lodging with wine, a musical performance and astronomical tour (Sharon Maor and members of the Taula Band in a Kabbalat Shabbat of Stars and Love).

4.            Noam Bamidbar – A package that includes an open-sky observation with laser pointer, open telescopes, explanations, lectures and activities and outdoor stations for couples and families. Lodging at small tents or group lodging at shared tents. NIS 110 per person. Breakfast may be ordered for NIS 50 per person.

5.            Lev Hamidbar Campsite in collaboration with Tiyul Acher – A package that includes a spacious camping area or lodging at a shared tent at the heart of Makhtesh Ramon. Tea, coffee and chill-out areas – NIS 150 per person, NIS 220 for two nights.

6.            Pure Stargazing – A massive outdoor stargazing at the heart of Makhtesh Ramon, a 15-minute drive from Mitzpe Ramon. Lectures, night-sky observation with laser pointers and telescope observation. NIS 85 per adult, NIS 65 for children ages 3 – 13.

For details and reservations:

 tel. no. 08-8680742  

website : http://www.bateva.co.il

My Hebrew sites:

hadarling.com

hadarok.com

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