Category: News

Reid Wiseman, Artemis II Commander, Shares His Journey Around the Moon in La Palma It's not every day that we have the opportunity to hear first-hand what it is like to travel into space, see the Moon from a spacecraft and return to Earth after a historic mission. On Friday, 16 October 2026, we had the privilege of attending a talk at the Teatro Chico in Santa Cruz de La Palma by Reid Wiseman, NASA astronaut and commander of the Artemis II mission, as part of the international Starmus 2026 festival. The talk lasted approximately one hour and, quite frankly, left us wishing it had been much longer. Wiseman shared anecdotes about astronaut training, mission preparations and launch, the journey towards the Moon, life and teamwork aboard the Orion spacecraft, and the challenges awaiting future space exploration missions. Hearing these experiences directly from someone who had lived through them was an extraordinary opportunity for those of us who are passionate about astronomy and exploring the Universe. Artemis II: Humanity Returns to the Moon's Neighbourhood The Artemis II mission, developed by NASA with the participation of the Canadian Space Agency, marked a milestone in space exploration: the first crewed journey around the Moon since the Apollo programme, more than half a century earlier. The Orion spacecraft launched on 1 April 2026 aboard the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Over approximately nine days, four astronauts travelled around the Moon before returning to Earth on 10 April. The crew consisted of: Reid Wiseman, Mission Commander, NASA. Victor Glover, Pilot, NASA. Christina Koch, Mission Specialist, NASA. Jeremy Hansen, Mission Specialist, Canadian Space Agency. Unlike the Apollo missions that landed astronauts on the lunar surface, Artemis II was not designed to land on the Moon. Its primary objective was

La Palma’s Four LST Telescopes: Inauguration and a New Window on the Universe On 15 October 2026, the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory on La Palma celebrates the official inauguration of its four Large-Sized Telescopes (LSTs), part of the international Cherenkov Telescope Array Observatory (CTAO). With their enormous 23-metre-diameter mirrors, these telescopes are designed to explore some of the most energetic and extreme phenomena in the Universe, from active black holes to powerful cosmic explosions. What Are the LST Telescopes and What Do They Observe? The LSTs (Large-Sized Telescopes) are designed for high-energy astrophysics, particularly the study of gamma rays, the most energetic form of electromagnetic radiation. However, there is an important difference between these instruments and conventional optical telescopes: Cherenkov telescopes cannot observe cosmic gamma rays directly from the ground. The Earth's atmosphere absorbs gamma rays before they reach the surface. Instead, these telescopes detect them indirectly through a fascinating physical phenomenon known as Cherenkov radiation. When a high-energy gamma ray enters the atmosphere, it interacts with atmospheric particles, producing a cascade of secondary particles. Some of these particles travel faster than light travels through air — although never faster than light in a vacuum — generating an extremely brief flash of bluish light. This is Cherenkov radiation. The enormous mirrors of the LSTs collect these flashes, which last only a few nanoseconds. By analysing them, scientists can reconstruct the direction and energy of the original gamma rays and investigate extraordinary cosmic phenomena, including active galactic nuclei, pulsars and gamma-ray bursts. Giant Telescopes Without Domes — Built for Speed Unlike many conventional optical telescopes, the LSTs do not require protective domes. Their enormous 23-metre reflecting surfaces are exposed to the open air, and the entire structures are engineered to move remarkably quickly. They can reposition to any accessible region

  Discover the Universe with AstroLaPalma's Telescopes The telescopes we use for stargazing in La Palma are an essential part of every astronomical experience, but the quality of an observing session depends on much more than the size of the telescope. Choosing the right instrument, having excellent sky conditions and being guided by an experienced astronomy guide are equally important to discover the Universe in the greatest possible detail. At AstroLaPalma, we use a carefully selected range of Celestron Schmidt-Cassegrain and large-aperture Dobsonian telescopes, chosen for their outstanding optical quality, reliability and exceptional performance under one of the best night skies on Earth. Thanks to the exceptional astronomical conditions of La Palma—home to the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory, the Gran Telescopio Canarias (GTC) and numerous telescopes operated by the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC)—our guests can observe everything from lunar craters to galaxies located millions of light-years away. Our goal is not to showcase telescopes. Our goal is to help you understand the night sky. Why do we use different telescopes? There is no such thing as the perfect telescope for every situation. Some telescopes provide extraordinary contrast for observing the Moon and planets, while others excel at collecting large amounts of light, revealing nebulae, galaxies and star clusters in impressive detail. The number of participants, the astronomical objects visible that night and the type of experience also influence which telescope is the best choice. That is why AstroLaPalma uses several different telescope models, always selecting the one that best suits each experience. Do we use all our telescopes during every experience? No. And that is entirely intentional. Although we own several telescopes, it would make little sense to use every instrument during every activity. Every night is different. Weather conditions, the Moon phase, the celestial objects we

Is the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory the best place for stargazing in La Palma? It's one of the questions we are asked most often. The answer surprises many people. Is the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory really the best place for stargazing in La Palma? Yes... and no. If we are talking about astrophysical research, then the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory is undoubtedly one of the best places on Earth. It is home to world-class facilities such as the Gran Telescopio Canarias (GTC), the MAGIC telescopes, the Large-Sized Telescopes (LSTs) of the future Cherenkov Telescope Array Observatory (CTAO), and dozens of scientific instruments operated by international research institutions. However, if we are talking about the best place for stargazing in La Palma, the answer is different. Because stargazing and professional astrophysics are not exactly the same thing. Why was the Observatory built at Roque de los Muchachos? The Observatory was not built there simply because it is one of the highest points on La Palma. Its location was chosen after many years of meteorological and astronomical studies. The island offers exceptional conditions for astrophysical research. The trade winds often create a sea of clouds at mid-altitude. Above it lies the temperature inversion layer, which separates the humid lower atmosphere from the dry, stable air found at higher elevations. As a result, the Observatory frequently remains above the clouds, enjoying exceptionally transparent and stable skies. These conditions, together with the protection provided by the Canary Islands Sky Law, extremely low light pollution and a high number of clear observing nights, make Roque de los Muchachos one of the world's leading sites for professional astronomy. But the Observatory is not always cloud-free Many people believe that the Observatory always enjoys clear skies. This is not true. Like every observatory in

The New Revolution in Astrophysics Is Not Happening Inside Telescopes When we think about major breakthroughs in astrophysics, we often imagine larger telescopes, giant mirrors, or sophisticated instruments capable of observing regions of the Universe that were beyond our reach just a few years ago. Yet one of the most significant transformations of recent decades has little to do with telescope size and everything to do with Artificial Intelligence in Astrophysics. And that may sound surprising. Anyone visiting the Roque de Los Muchachos Observatory can immediately see that modern astronomical technology often looks like something out of a science fiction film. However, some of the most exciting advances are not taking place beneath telescope domes, but inside the systems designed to analyze the enormous amount of information these instruments generate every night. Over the last few decades, observatories have improved their observing capabilities so dramatically that they have created an unexpected challenge: they now produce more data than scientists can manually analyze. Every night, telescopes around the world capture images of millions of stars, galaxies, nebulae, and other celestial objects. In addition to that, researchers collect spectra, brightness measurements, atmospheric data, and observations accumulated over years or even decades. The amount of information is so vast that reviewing it image by image is simply impossible. This is where Artificial Intelligence enters the picture. Far from the popular image of robots replacing scientists, the reality is much more interesting. Artificial Intelligence has become a powerful tool for identifying hidden patterns, detecting rare phenomena, and helping researchers gain a deeper understanding of the Universe. In many fields, it is already part of everyday astrophysical research. When the Problem Is Having Too Much Data For much of scientific history, the challenge was obtaining observations that were accurate enough. Today, in many areas of

Major Discoveries at the Roque de Los Muchachos Observatory From La Palma to the Universe: World-Class Science Under One of Earth's Best Skies The Roque de Los Muchachos Observatory discoveries have helped transform our understanding of the Universe and have established La Palma as one of the world's leading centres for astronomical research. Thanks to its exceptional observing conditions — protected by the renowned Sky Law, one of the most advanced regulations of its kind anywhere in the world — and to the international scientific collaborations coordinated by the Institute of Astrophysics of the Canary Islands (IAC), this observatory has contributed to groundbreaking research ranging from black holes and exoplanets to the highest-energy phenomena in the cosmos. In this article, we explore some of the most important Roque de Los Muchachos Observatory discoveries, from black holes and exoplanets to gamma-ray astronomy, and explain why this remarkable site continues to play a crucial role in international astrophysical research.   The Supermassive Black Hole at the Centre of the Milky Way During the 1980s, observations carried out with the William Herschel Telescope (WHT) in La Palma contributed to the study of the dynamics of the centre of our galaxy. The Role of the William Herschel Telescope These observations helped lay the foundations for confirming the existence of a supermassive black hole at the heart of the Milky Way: Sagittarius A*. Understanding Sagittarius A* Today we know that this object has a mass approximately four million times greater than that of the Sun and plays a fundamental role in our understanding of galactic evolution. Research carried out with telescopes such as the WHT paved the way for later breakthroughs, including the first direct images of black holes. Gamma-Ray Astronomy: MAGIC and CTA La Palma is also one of the world's leading centres for

The sky Law (Canary Islands). The regulation that protects one of the best skies on the planet If you have observed the stars from La Palma, you have probably noticed something special: the sky is darker, clearer, and more intense than in most places in the world. This is not a coincidence. It is the result of a pioneering regulation known as the Sky Law in the Canary Islands, one of the most advanced legislations in the world for protecting the night sky. Thanks to this law, the archipelago —and especially La Palma— has become an international reference for astronomy and astrotourism.   🌌 What exactly is the Sky Law? The so-called Sky Law is the common name for Law 31/1988 on the protection of the astronomical quality of the observatories of the Institute of Astrophysics of the Canary Islands. Its objective is clear: to guarantee optimal conditions for astronomical observation from the observatories located in the Canary Islands. More official information at Sky Law (Institute of Astrophysics of the Canary Islands)     🔭 What does this law regulate? The Sky Law goes far beyond lighting. It is a comprehensive regulation that protects the scientific environment on several levels: Light pollution: control of artificial lighting to prevent skyglow (see also our article on why controlling light pollution matters) Radio interference: limitation of signals that affect telescopes Atmospheric pollution: control of emissions that could reduce sky transparency Air traffic routes: regulation of flight paths to avoid disturbances This makes the Canary Islands one of the few places in the world where the sky is protected in an integrated way.   🌍 Why is it unique in the world? Although similar initiatives exist in other countries, the Sky Law was one of the first regulations of its kind at a global

How many exoplanets exist? Habitable zones, life, and what we are really discovering We are not alone… but we still don’t know how much In recent years, astronomy has gone from knowing no planets beyond our Solar System to discovering thousands. Today we know that exoplanets are not the exception—they are the rule in the Universe. But the big question remains the same: how many of those worlds could resemble Earth? If you want to explore a specific example, you can read about Gliese 12 b, one of the most interesting exoplanets discovered recently.   🔭 How many exoplanets have been discovered? As of 2026, more than 5,500 exoplanets have been confirmed, distributed across thousands of planetary systems. And the most fascinating part: these are only the ones we have been able to detect with current technology. Estimates suggest there could be hundreds of billions of planets in our galaxy alone. In other words, almost every star we see in the sky likely has its own planetary system. 🚀 Which telescope has discovered the most exoplanets? The main protagonist in exoplanet detection has been NASA’s Kepler space telescope. Kepler revolutionized astronomy by systematically using the transit method, continuously observing more than 150,000 stars. Why has it been so effective? Continuous observation over several years Wide field of view High photometric precision Today, its successor, TESS, continues this work by searching for exoplanets closer to Earth, ideal for detailed studies.   🌍 How many are in the habitable zone? Of the thousands of exoplanets discovered, only a small fraction lies within the so-called habitable zone. It is estimated that there are between 50 and 70 potentially habitable exoplanets, although this number is constantly evolving with new discoveries. However, being in the habitable zone does not necessarily mean that a planet is

Why Dark Skies Matter: The Global Fight Against Light Pollution The night sky is disappearing… and most people haven’t noticed Look up at the sky from almost any city in the world and you will notice something strange: there are fewer stars than there should be. It’s not that the Universe has changed. It’s that our planet has. The loss of the natural night sky is one of the fastest environmental changes of our time, and yet it largely goes unnoticed by most people. This is why understanding the relationship between dark skies and light pollution is not just a matter of astronomy. It is a matter of culture, science, biodiversity, and our connection with the Universe.     🌍 A global issue with real consequences Light pollution does not only affect stargazing. It also disrupts ecosystems, alters animal behavior, and impacts human health. Artificial light at night interferes with natural cycles, from bird migration to sleep patterns. Organizations such as DarkSky International have been working for decades to raise awareness and promote responsible lighting. At the same time, institutions such as UNESCO recognize the value of the night sky as part of humanity’s natural and cultural heritage.     🔭 The sky as a shared human heritage For most of human history, the night sky has been a constant. It guided navigation, inspired mythology, and helped shape our understanding of the world. Today, millions of people can no longer see the Milky Way. This is why initiatives such as the Starlight Foundation defend access to a starry sky as a fundamental right. Protecting dark skies is not only a scientific issue—it is about preserving a universal human experience.       📸 The role of photography and outreach One of the most powerful ways to understand what we are