ArtemisNet
Karpenissi Evrytania Greece
STARLIGHT BRIDGES
Starlight Bridges: Community Astrotourism in Evrytania, Greece
ARTEMISNET – Starlight Bridges is an innovative, internationally approved community-based astrotourism programme implemented in Karpenisi, Evrytania (Greece), with the support of the Municipality of Karpenisi and funding from the Office for Astronomy Development (OAD) of the International Astronomical Union (IAU).
The programme is among the 18 projects selected worldwide out of more than 150 submitted proposals under the OAD 2026 call, representing a significant international distinction and recognition of both the project’s quality and the unique characteristics of its host region.
ARTEMISNET aims to highlight the night sky of Karpenisi as a valuable natural, cultural, and educational resource, capable of contributing to sustainable local development, education, and social cohesion. In a region distinguished by its dark skies and strong cultural identity, the programme connects astronomical science with the local community, cultural heritage, and contemporary sustainable tourism practices.
The programme is built upon active community participation, resident and youth training, school-focused activities, public sky observation events, digital augmented reality applications, and the restoration and enhancement of the ARTEMIS Observatory. Through these actions, the night sky is transformed from a natural phenomenon into a shared community asset and a narrative element of place-based identity.
ARTEMISNET is the first fully integrated community astrotourism programme in Greece with international scientific support and aspires to serve as a model of good practice for other mountainous and remote regions, strengthening sustainability, openness, and long-term community resilience.
Official Launch of the Project
Successful Official Launch of
Starlight Bridges: Community Astrotourism through the ARTEMIS Space Observatory – ARTEMISNET
and Inauguration of the Starlight Path
17 August 2026 | Municipal Council Hall, Karpenisi
The official launch of ARTEMISNET was successfully held in Karpenisi. The pro
ject is one of only 18 projects selected worldwide by the IAU Office of Astronomy for Development (OAD), from more than 150 proposals.
The event was opened by Mayor of Karpenisi Mr Christos Kakavas, who highlighted the importance of ARTEMISNET, the first integrated community astrotourism programme in Greece, for enhancing the region’s visibility and development. The project’s Scientific Coordinator and Representative of the International Astronomical Union for Astronomy Outreach in Greece, Dr Margarita (Greta) Metaxa, presented ARTEMISNET as a model of sustainable and participatory development for mountainous regions of Greece, with the night sky emerging as a key development resource.
The founder of the ARTEMIS Observatory, Mr Dimitris Deligeorgopoulos, referred to the Observatory’s long-standing contribution and the infrastructure developed with the support of the ARTEMIS Association and its members, while focusing on the vision of creating a larger Observatory and Planetarium facility for astronomical observations. Greetings were delivered online by the project’s international partners from the OAD Office, expressing their support for the project and highlighting the OAD’s broader mission of using astronomy as a tool for sustainable development, education, and the empowerment of local communities.
Τhe event was moderated by Mr Manolis Kopanakis, Head of the Evrytania Centre for Environmental Education and Sustainability (KEPEA), which has provided significant support to the activities of ARTEMISNET.
The event continued with the inauguration of the Starlight Path by Deputy Mayor of Karpenisi Ms Paraskevi (Vivi) Kogia, followed by the first organised guided tour. The route presents the Solar System with its eight planets at a scaled distance, connected to local landmarks.
Through this immersive experience, visitors connect astronomical knowledge with the natural and cultural landscape of Karpenisi, with the experience enhanced by impressive Augmented Reality (AR) technology. The Foundation of the Hellenic World designed and implemented the AR application for the Starlight Path, as a generous sponsorship to the programme.
The evening concluded with stargazing at Profitis Ilias – Myriki, with a large number of participants, demonstrating in practice the region’s potential as an astrotourism destination.
STARLIGHT PATH - A Journey Through Our Solar System
The Starlight Path is an innovative astrotourism tool created as part of the ARTEMISNET – Starlight Bridges project.
It invites visitors to walk through «our Solar System» at an adjusted scaled distance , experiencing the true magnitude of cosmic distances.
The Path is located in historic Karpenissi, connecting the local area and its cultural heritage with science. Starting from the Sun, visitors follow a route featuring stations representing the eight planets of our Solar System.
At each station, Augmented Reality (AR) offers an interactive way to discover each planet.
After this SMALL – GREAT journey, perhaps we will look at Earth with a different sense
of responsibility: a UNIQUE WORLD in the vastness of the Universe!
What Will Visitors See?
At each station, visitors can discover the planets, explore its 3D model through AR, learn
its place in the Solar System, and experience the immense distances between the planets.
AR Experience: Scan → Explore → Learn
Point your mobile phone or tablet at the designated station marker.
Use the small QR code to download the app and then scan the large QR code to bring the planet to life before your eyes.
The digital content reveals the key characteristics of each world in an interactive way.
Application design and implementation: Foundation of the Hellenic World.
International Recognition
ARTEMISNET – Starlight Bridges is one of only 18 projects selected worldwide from more than 150 international proposals under the IAU Office for Astronomy Development (OAD) 2026 programme, highlighting the global significance of Karpenisi’s night sky and its community-driven approach to sustainable development.
Support From DarkSky International
Events
Our Cosmic Journey
Our Vision
We believe that the night sky is not only a scientific treasure, but also a cultural, environmental, and educational asset towards sustainability.
ARTEMISNET seeks to:
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Environmental stewardship
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Gender inclusion
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Youth empowerment
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STEM engagement
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Sustainable rural development
By reconnecting people with the night sky, we reconnect them with their environment, their heritage, and their future.
Our dedicated team designs and builds the infrastructure that makes immersive astronomy experiences possible. From thoughtfully developed stargazing sites and educational pathways to interactive learning environments, we create the foundations that connect people meaningfully with the night sky.
Through guided stargazing sessions, inspiring workshops, and hands-on activities, we awaken curiosity and cultivate a lasting love for the cosmos. Guided by principles of accessibility, sustainability, and community engagement, we transform dark skies into living classrooms — spaces where science, culture, and wonder come together to inspire future generations of explorers.
What We Do
Artemis Space Observatory
The project builds on the legacy of the ARTEMIS Space Observatory, a volunteer-run facility operating since 2014, which continuously offers public outreach, involve in research projects with STEM implementation for schools, enabling immersive night-sky experiences to local residents.
ARTEMIS is a complex of optical and radio telescopes supported by the local Artemis Club. It is located at 1,000 meters altitude and just 4 km from Karpenisi. Despite partial destruction due to a severe storm (2024) ARTEMIS remains central to the vision, thanks to the dedication of the operators that comes to the community trust and network it has cultivated.
The idea of the project started in 2022, when the pristine night sky of Karpenisi – a photo that was taken by the ARTEMIS- was showcased as the signature image of a major online conference on Dark Sky Preservation, organized by Dr. Metaxa under the auspices of the IAU-OAD, etc. The event drew over 2,000 participants and spotlight Karpenisi’s exceptional skies across Greece.
ARTEMISNET capitalizes on this momentum with an astrotourism model.
Night Sky Tourism Resources
Traditionally, astrotourism has been a specialized activity focused on scientific exploration and the use of specialized equipment. However, this narrow approach has limited its potential to contribute to the socioeconomic development of rural communities.
This approach represents a radical departure from the conventional model. We believe that by redefining astrotourism as an extension of ecotourism and cultural tourism, we can fully unlock the potential of the night sky. Instead of overwhelming local communities with complex astronomical concepts, we focus on empowering them to showcase their unique cultural heritage and natural environment, with the night sky as a stunning backdrop.
This material is a translation of the corresponding guide by the Office of Astronomy for Development of the International Astronomical Union.
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