Pedro Froes is only able to utter a few words as he is overcome by the oranges and blues of the Jewel Box star cluster, which is a component of the Southern Cross constellation: "It's incredible."

Froes are using a telescope to observe the stars in Desengano State Park, a rural area of Brazil that is about 260 kilometres (160 miles) north of Rio de Janeiro and generally free of light pollution.

According to the international light pollution monitor DarkSky, Desengano is the first "International Dark Sky Park" in Latin America. Froes is one of the park's increasing number of "Astro-tourists," who are attracted to it by its seclusion from towns and the light pollution they emit into the night sky.

According to astronomer Daniel Mello of the Valongo Observatory at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, from this location, one can see 3,000 stars per year without the aid of a telescope.

"At most, 200 people per year can be seen in cities like Rio or Sao Paulo."

Mello conducts a public observation session in front of around 20 people on the front lawn of the park's administrative building in the small town of Santa Maria Madalena, focusing a laser on the Southern Cross, Scorpio, and Centaurus constellations.

The event is a component of a project that Mello and a team of tourism, environmental, and photography experts developed.

The park, which is rich in greenery, woodland, and mountains, is shielded from artificial light by the fact that the closest large city is 120 kilometers away.

Therefore, even on nights with a full moon, one may see the Milky Way with the unaided eye. Views of farther-off stars can be seen with two telescopes.

The sky has always caught my attention, but I've never had the chance to view it like this, says Froes, a 22-year-old scientist from Niteroi, a city close to Rio.

As a result of modernization and urbanization, around 80% of people on Earth sleep beneath artificially lit night skies.

Beyond obscuring the stars, light pollution also affects the ecosystem negatively, making migratory birds and humans restless and impairing other species' ability to reproduce.

The only other location recognized by DarkSky in Latin America is the Elqui Valley in Chile, which is referred to as a "sanctuary."

In contrast to Chile, Europe, or the United States, Brazil is still in the early stages of astrotourism.

However, more and more people are making the journey to Santa Maria Madalena to view the stars, "especially in the last six months," according to Nelson Saraiva. In the 10,000-person

The retired teacher Saraiva believes astronomical travel will have a significant positive impact on the local economy. In addition to Mello's observation sessions, there are regular events that combine astronomy and food.

To capitalize on the rising tourist interest, the government and local business owners have joined forces to organize a star festival. The first festival was organized in September of last year, and plans for what is expected to become an annual event this fall are already in place.

Desengano Park was required to use low-impact lighting and promote environmental education to receive accreditation from DarkSky.

These kinds of actions benefit the sky, but they also have repercussions that can be felt on a more personal level.

According to park research manager and biologist Carlota Enrici, "We have an enormous diversity of birds, mammals, and reptiles that are here only because the place is preserved."

"Light pollution reduction maintains the ecosystem's balance."

The astronomer Mello believes other Brazilian locations would adopt Desengano's strategy since it will not only boost tourism but also "rescue people's contact with the starry sky and with nature."