Reykjavik and two other towns in Iceland will observe lights out on Thursday night so that people can gaze at the night sky.

Residents have been instructed to sit in their houses during the blackout.

Andri Snaer Magnason, a writer who conceived the idea, told Reuters, "We have a very beautiful sky as soon as we turn off the lights." And the national radio shall air a special broadcast in which an astronomer shall describe the night sky.

The blackout that will last for 30 minutes is part of a film festival that will hold on the small north Atlantic island. Iceland has abundant thermal energy which it uses for electricity. The lights shall be switched off at 10 p.m. local time.