How one disappointing night changed the way I plan my astrotourism adventures

Decades ago, when I was beginning my journey as a stargazer, I found myself at a so-called "night sky experience" in a remote location that, on paper, ticked every box. We were a small group — enthusiastic, hopeful and excited, having driven into the middle of nowhere to meet an astronomer. We were all standing under a dark, protected sky. But there, on the rise as the session began, was a big, bright, just-past- full moon . There was no Milky Way , and just a few bright stars clung on. …