"Lunar Eclipse, dubbed as the 'Blood Moon', draws attention over Kenya's celestial tourism efforts"
Kenya's clear night skies were the centre of attention last Sunday, as the country launched a new tourism initiative promoting its celestial wonders. The event, a joint venture between Kenya's tourism ministry and the Kenya Space Agency, attracted both foreign tourists and local dancers.
Jacques Matara, the deputy director of Space Research and Innovation at the Kenya Space Agency, played a key role in the initiative. He believes that astro-tourism could be a significant boost for Kenya's already thriving tourism industry, which accounts for almost 10 percent of the country's GDP.
The launch took place at a remote lodge in Samburu county. The local dancers wore fantastically colorful beads and draped cloths, adding a vibrant touch to the celestial event. The highlight of the night was the visibility of the "blood moon," an eerie, deep red phenomenon that occurs when the Sun, Earth, and Moon align.
Johanns Hertogh-van der Laan, a 75-year-old ex-teacher from Holland, was among the foreign tourists in attendance. He was initially in Kenya to see wildlife but was amazed by the night skies. Hertogh-van der Laan mentioned that he had not seen such clear night skies in about 40 years.
Matara stated that astro-tourism could be game-changing, especially in Kenya's tourism sector. He believes it is an opportunity to raise awareness about the utility of space for socio-economic development. He further emphasized that Kenya's low light pollution levels make it an ideal destination for star-gazing.
During the event, tourists took turns gazing through telescopes at the "blood moon" and the kaleidoscope of stars. The "blood moon" was visible during the astro-tourism event, adding a unique twist to the celestial spectacle.
Kenya hopes to attract more star-struck tourists with this initiative, further boosting its tourism industry and showcasing its space research capabilities. Matara's role in promoting astro-tourism is crucial, leveraging Kenya's space research capabilities to attract scientific and tourist interest in astronomy.
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