The Tajogaite volcano, the new volcano on the island of La Palma, is open to restricted visits and only with guided accompaniment. This offers the possibility to get approximately 1 km closer to the cone and to see the effect of the eruption, the volcanic cone, the lava flows and how the surrounding vegetation is recovering. In addition, the guides during the visit to the Tajogaite volcano offer detailed information to help you understand the volcanism of the Canary Islands in a simple way. Reservations for visits (in English from 1st October): visits to the volcano.

Foto del Volcán Cumbre Vieja, erupción 2021.

To access the volcano you have to walk 2.5 km (5 km total) with 4 explanatory stops. The experience is unique and memorable. There is no similar experience in the whole country. It is an experience not to be missed….

Volcán Tajogaite.

The Tajogaite volcano, originally called Cumbre Vieja, is a volcano located in the municipality of El Paso on the island of La Palma, Canary Islands. It originated in the eruption that started on 19 Sept 2021, after an initial phase of 25 000 small earthquakes that hit the island for eight days. It stopped on 13 December of the same year, after 85 days of activity, being the longest historical eruption recorded on La Palma and the third longest in the Canary archipelago, and the most recent volcano in the Spanish terrestrial geography.

The volcano has a height of 1120 m above sea level, but the main cone is approximately 200 m high. Apart from this main mouth, the Tajogaite volcano complex has 6 aligned craters. The main crater has a major axis of 172 metres and a minor axis of 106 metres.

* This is how the volcano’s lava flows appear now. They have affected 10% of the island’s territory. Full Drone images of the lava flows here: https://lapalma.maps.arcgis.com/apps/StorytellingSwipe/index.html?appid=e81adc67019244f599dd5abe6c3ec9bd#

* Reportaje del National Geographic durante la erupción: https://www.nationalgeographic.com.es/naturaleza/dia-a-dia-erupcion-volcan-cumbre-vieja-palma_17551

Reservations to astronomy tours here.

La entrada Visits to Tajogaite volcano se publicó primero en AstroLaPalma.

The sky is completely free of gases again and now it is time to rebuild and recover the ash-covered landscapes. We will continue to work towards this. Without a doubt, we now have one more attraction: volcanoes. And when you combine volcanoes and stars, the show is on. Some places have volcanoes, others have stars, but La Palma has both in the same place and its landscapes are unique.

Soon we will have a new activity that combines volcanoes and stars. See here.

La entrada The vulcano eruption in La Palma is over se publicó primero en AstroLaPalma.

Moreover, as long as the circumstances and the safety of the people allow us, we will continue working and we will not suspend our activities despite the volcanic eruption on La Palma. We want to contribute with what we do best, and that is: work. So we will continue to do it with more passion than ever and while this crisis lasts, all the employees of this company and AstroLaPalma SL, we will donate our full benefits to the neighbors who have been directly affected. We will also contribute with our volunteer work and encouraging anyone who can donate to do so. Out of empathy, out of solidarity and because we can only get out of this misfortune together. If we suspend activities and sit idly by, we will not push financially. As long as it’s safe for people and the sky is in the right conditions, we’ll keep working.

We will greatly appreciate donations to the Island Council for the victims: https://lapalma.es/es/el-cabildo-habilita-vias-para-centralizar-las-donaciones-economicas-de-particulares-y-empresas-para

AstroLaPalma team. Astroturism and services for amateur photographers and astronomers.

La entrada Volcanic eruption on La Palma se publicó primero en AstroLaPalma.

The solar eclipse of June 2021, as seen from Spain and from La Palma has been partial and with a very modest coverage. This eclipse was best seen in northern Europe and North America and especially from the Arctic.

In the Arctic (Canada, Greenland and northeastern Russia) it was annular in shape but at lower latitudes, it only looked as if the moon was taking a bite out of the sun. The further south, the smaller the “bite”. So from the Canary Islands, it was hardly noticeable, not even the brightness of the sun changed, while in the Arctic it suddenly went dark.

What is a solar eclipse?

Solar eclipses occur when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun, obscuring the image of the Sun. As the orbits of planets are elliptical, the Earth-Moon and Earth-Sun (and therefore Sun-Moon) distances are not always the same. An annular solar eclipse occurs when the Moon is too far away from us to completely block out the Sun, leaving a circle of light around it. However, if they are closer together, a total solar eclipse is possible.

* Please remember that for the observation of any solar eclipse you will need approved eye protection. Never look at the sun directly or using home-made accesories.

When will we see another eclipse from Spain?

The last partial solar eclipse visible in Spain occurred on 21 August 2017, albeit in poor conditions as it occurred at sunset and it was difficult to see. The next one will be seen on 25 October 2022, but only visible in the northeast of the peninsula and the Balearic Islands. To see a total solar eclipse we will have to wait until 12 August 2026, followed by another on 2 August the following year. And these last two will be spectacular. And of course, we will be prepared.

**Babak Tafreshi is a National Geographic photographer. @NatGeo photographer of night wonders from Earth to the universe | The World at Night founder @twanight saving our night sky Official website: https://print.babaktafreshi.com/. Babak Tafreshi has come to La Palma on many, many occasions. Since 2013, he is the instructor of our AstroMaster La Palma. Next editions in October 2021 and May 2022.

La entrada Solar Eclipse  June 2021 se publicó primero en AstroLaPalma.

In recent years it seems to be fashionable to be able and to know how to photograph the Milky Way. No wonder it is in fashion and certainly a good trend…. After all, dark, starry skies are exceptionally beautiful and due to light pollution they have become scarce. On the island of La Palma, it is still possible to find dark skies easily and, in fact, it is considered one of the best places in the world to stargaze. It has also become a mecca for astrotourism, observe stars and night photography as the whole island has exceptional landscapes for this practice. If you are planning a trip to La Palma or anywhere else with dark skies and want to do nightscape photography, you need to be prepared. Here are the basics you need to know.

Recommended equipment for nightscape photography: preparation.

There is no room for improvisation when it comes to equipment for night photography. You must be well prepared, as night sessions usually take place in inaccessible or distant locations to avoid light pollution.

This is the equipment I recommend for night photography.

• Camera. The type of camera will depend on your budget as it is usually an expensive equipment. However, you will need a bright (fast) lens and a camera that allows at least 3200 ISO and long exposure. In general terms make sure the camera has: manual settings, RAW format, bulb mode, if possible full frame, noise reduction option and Live View mode (for manual focus).
• A wide-angle lens: 24mm, 14mm are ideal.
• A telephoto lens (if you want to photograph the moon).
• An Intervalometer.
• Warm, comfortable clothing and footwear.
• Spare batteries.
• A sturdy tripod.
• Memory cards.
• Camera backpack with different compartments (ideally waterproof).
• Headlamp, preferably red or white/red.
• Mobile phone with a charged battery.

Of course, once you have the right equipment, you need to know how to use it. It is best to start in the daytime, getting to know the camera settings (functions and changing parameters) and practising, as well as learning how to access and modify the menu and how to handle the camera in the dark. Other considerations are that it is best never to go alone to take pictures at night, simply for safety reasons.

What to photograph in the night sky?

Once you have your equipment, you need to plan what you are going to photograph – the Milky Way? constellations? It is vital to know what you want to photograph, as well as the time of night when you can do it. Photographing the winter sky is not the same as photographing the summer sky. Just as you can’t get the same results if there is a moon. Therefore, it is vital to have the right equipment and to have a basic knowledge of the sky to know where the Milky Way is and at what time you can see it, or how to find the North Star if you want to do a startrail for example. I recommend accessing the chosen location before sunset to prepare the best composition, make sure there are no obstacles or dangerous terrain.

Tips for nightscape photography.

• Knowing how to take advantage of moments of light. In landscape photography at night, there is hardly ever enough light, so a dim crescent moon or a small background light, such as a lighthouse, can completely change a night landscape. Also, in the dark, colours do not appear the same as they do during the day, so a dim light or illumination changes the landscape again.
• Changing perspective and angle
• RAW format photography
• Natural lighting. This goes for moon or sunset.
• Minimise ISO. A beginner’s mistake is to raise the ISO as high as possible. However cameras have their best dynamic range much lower, at 1600 ISO for example (do check the manual of your camera). And it is at this point that you get the best colours of the night sky.
• Take care of the composition.
• Know what hyperfocal is and know how to use it.
• Focus: The focus for stars is always the same for any given lens and is not necessarily the infinity. Focus in manual in liveview and once you have it tape the focus wheel. There is nothing worse than thinking your photos are in focus and coming home after a long night and your photos are unfocusses!
• The Golden Rule (combination of ISO, aperture and exposure time that it works best. See more on our following post).

Landscape night photography made in La Palma. Instagram: @lapalmastars.

More photo on our  Photo Gallery.

If you are interested in taking a specialised course in night landscape photography, we recommend the webinars of our partner Babak Tafreshi, National Geographic photographer and president of TWAN.

La entrada Nightscape photography: preparation. se publicó primero en AstroLaPalma.

The astrotourism in La Palma wins the 2018 Fitur Award in the category of best active tourism product. The award accredits astrotourism the excellent public-private collaboration model of astrotourism on the island of La Palma. This long-awaited award was collected by the Councillor for Tourism of the La Palma Island Council, Alicia Vanoostende, as well as Carlos Fernández (Isla Bonita and Canary Islands Tourism Award in 2017) and Ana García Suárez, CEO of AstroLaPalma.

This award undoubtedly ensures the consolidation and positive evolution of astro-tourism in La Palma. From the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias and the large scientific facilities that do great science to the small companies related to astrotourism, many efforts have been made to make La Palma a unique star destination in the world. Furthermore, La Palma was chosen in 2017 by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) as a global example of evolution and strengthening of astrotourism and in 2015 it was awarded the Tourism Merit Plaque (Spanish Ministry of Tourism).

Book your astronomy tour and discover it for yourself! If you prefer to see on your onw, visit one of the astronomy viewpoints on the island or visit the Observatory.

La entrada Astrotourism in La Palma wins Fitur Award. se publicó primero en AstroLaPalma.

The year 2020 has meant a change in the world view for the vast majority of people since the incidence of covid19 has made us rethink the way we live and travel. Some places have remained almost immune to this, such as the island of La Palma, where the number of covid cases has been the lowest in Europe.

In an era after coronavirus, La Palma is a safe and healthy destination. New ways of travelling are here, with longer stays, to places where avoiding crowds are possible and  where work (teleworking) and travel can be combined. This is undoubtedly a change brought by covid health measures together with climate change, that will contribute to sustainable tourism. Carbon footprint will decrease with less customers, but with longer stays for each of them.

If you want to enjoy a nature destination away from mass tourism, come to La Isla Bonita.

Ecotourism in La Palma. Ecotourism guide #lapalma
What to do in La Palma?

#hiking #volcanoes #stars #reserve #biosphere #malvasia #gofio

La entrada Ecotourism in La Palma se publicó primero en AstroLaPalma.

The Roque de Los Muchachos Astrophysical Observatory on La Palma island is a prestigious research centre with one of the most advanced professional telescope arrays in the world. Here is a video with spectacular images of the night sky over La Palma and of the sky at the Observatorio de La Palma at night (see note below*). In the video you can see the William Herschel Telescope, the Gran Telescopio de Canarias and other smaller telescopes.

The Roque de Los Muchachos Astrophysical Observatory offers daytime visits to its facilities (Reservations: here) but night time visits are possible during working hours.

However, do not dispair as La Palma is a Dark Sky Reserve (an Starlight Reserve) and stargazing is possible on the whole island. Here is a list and map of the astronomy viewpoints and astronomical sites of interest if you wish to stargaze. But if you need a little bit more: explanations, use of telescopes and a guided tour of the sky, you may consider joining one of our astronomy tours.

More information about the Observatory on its official website: iac.es/orm

Video by Vikas Chandler. Observatory Roque de Los Muchachos (La Palma) at night.

La entrada Observatory of La Palma at night se publicó primero en AstroLaPalma.

Astronomy Picture of the Day (NASA) 15/12/2020. Sebastian Voltmer.

What is so special about the conjunction?

Because of its closeness, the exceptional nature of the event and the fact that it takes place almost before Christmas, the event is already being called the “Star of Bethlehem“. There are many studies on what could have been the “star” seen more than 2000 years ago. It could have been a supernova, as Kepler postulated a few centuries ago (although there is no observable remnant that can be attributed to it). Or it could be a comet, like Halley’s comet that appeared in the sky in 12 BC, several years before the plausible date of Jesus’ birth. However, the downside to this second hypothesis is that comets in ancient times were very badly regarded as omens of calamity. In turn, the star of Bethlehem was seen (and it is still seen and expected) with joy, so the hypothesis of a comet is not widely accepted.

However, there is a third hypothesis, the hypothesis is that it was a planetary alignment, like the one we will have in a few days. The hypothesis is that there are multiple planets located nearby: a planetary conjunction. In fact, there were several strange encounters between prominent planets in the right period of time.

In the year 7 B.C., Jupiter and Saturn met three times. One year later, they joined Mars. And then between 3 and 2 B.C., what followed was a fantastic and unusual sequence of conjunctions: Saturn + Mercury, Saturn + Venus, Venus + Jupiter and Venus + Mercury. To finish again, Jupiter with Venus (the two brightest planets). And this time they came so close that they could appear as one to the human eye, seen from the Earth.

This year, 2020, we will have a conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn, in which they will almost appear as one to the human eye. It will be possible to observe the two planets together at the same time, through a telescope. And it will also be such a close conjunction that the last time they were so close was in the 13th century.

It will undoubtedly be something worth seeing. And also an event, which will not be repeated in our lives. You can’t miss it!

¿How to book?

Sources: 1. https://www.lavanguardia.com/ciencia/20201214/6112869/jupiter-saturno-apareceran-planeta-doble-primera-vez-siglos.html. 2. https://www.abc.es/ciencia/abci-y-si-estrella-belen-fueron-realidad-planetas-juntos-201712201051_noticia.html. 3. Wikipedia. 4. Apod.

La entrada Exceptional conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn se publicó primero en AstroLaPalma.

The Promenade of Stars of Science is an original idea of Anselmo Pestana, the President of the Island Council back in 2015, when the project started. The Cabildo Insular de la Palma, the Santa Cruz Town Hall and the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias are participating in the project. Unfortunately, the Prominade has taken 5 years to be carried out as first, the remodelling of the beach had to be completed. The event held this December 2020 has revealed the Stars that currently make up the “Paseo de la Ciencia”. The four scientists awarded have personal and professional links with the island, hence, have been the first ones to be acknowledged.

Stephen Hawking

The first star is by Stephen Hawking, a renowned physicist and cosmologist linked to the Starmuss Festival held on La Palma and who was last on the island in 2016, shortly before his death. Hawking, who was the first to receive his star in 2016, is the author of many of the discoveries in modern astrophysics, such as the new theory of space-time and black hole radiation (“Hawking” radiation). Hawking worked throughout his life to unravel the laws that govern the universe and, together with Roger Penrose, he demonstrated that Albert Einstein’s theory of relativity implies that space and time must have a beginning, which would be the theory of the Big Bang, and an end, within black holes.

Alexei Leonov

The second star was for cosmonaut Aleksei Leonov, who has also visited the island several times; Leonov was the first man to go on a space walk, on 18 March 1965, having been part of the first group of 20 cosmonauts in the Soviet space programme, set up in 1960. He was also the Soviet team commander of the first joint mission between the Soviet Union and the United States, Apollo-Soyuz.

Takaaki Kajita

The third Star (awarded in 2017) went to Takaaki Kajita of Japan, director of the Cosmic Neutrinos Centre at the Institute for Cosmic Ray Research (ICRR), who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2015, along with Arthur B. McDonald for their research on neutrino oscillations. Their research showed that these subatomic particles have mass. As the Swedish Academy’s prize jury pointed out, “their studies changed the understanding of the innermost behaviour of matter and may be crucial for understanding the Universe”.

Kajita is currently leading a major international collaboration project, the “Cherenkov Telescope Array“, which aims to study the gamma radiation that reaches the Earth and how it is produced. La Palma is the northern hemisphere headquarters for this project. Kajita laid the first stone of the prototype (LST) of the 23 telescopes projected on La Palma, just one week after receiving her Nobel Prize.

Samuel Ting

The fourth and last Star awarded to date (2018) has been for Samuel Ting, Nobel Laureate in Physics in 1976. The American particle physicist of Chinese origin belongs to the prestigious MIT in the United States, and has been a professor there since 1969. He received the Nobel Prize in 1976 for the discovery of the J particle, which once again consolidated the standard particle theory. Samuel Ting leads a project for the observation of neutrinos on the Space Station, the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS-0), with the aim of testing fundamental questions in modern physics including the existence of antimatter, the origin of comic rays and dark matter.

This collaborative project, involving more than 600 physicists, has collected 80 billion cosmic rays in 10 years. Ting’s team also aims to test whether the Big Bang model is true, when it predicts that there should be an equivalent amount of matter and antimatter in the Universe. For the moment, astronomers have not been able to find the antimatter and this is one of the great mysteries of the Universe. This is why many physicists believe that primordial antimatter simply does not exist. AMS-0 could prove whether it exists, or if on the contrary, a completely new theory is needed to explain antimatter or the Big Bang.

Next….Jocelyn Bell

It has been awarded the fifth Star, but unfortunately it has not yet been delivered due to the covid19. The Star is for Jocelyn Bell, the discoverer of the first radio pulsar signal in 1967, what has been an undoubted contribution to science. We will have a special article dedicated to Jocelyn Bell soon.

La entrada Promenade of Stars of Science in La Palma se publicó primero en AstroLaPalma.