On Friday 27 September, in the municipality of Puntallana, the long-awaited ‘Telescope Meeting’ took place, an event that brought together around 60 people, including families with children. The purpose of the starparty was to spend a night dedicated to astronomical observation while raising awareness about the protection of  dark skies. During the event, which was part of AstroFest 2024, educational talks focused on how to observe the sky and the importance of preserving our skies from light pollution. As part of the commitment to this cause, the luminaires near the Puntallana Town Hall were turned off, allowing attendees a quality astronomical experience.

The meeting not only focused on the theoretical aspect. Participants had also the opportunity to learn how to operate telescopes, bringing the fascinating world of astronomy even closer to those present. Children and adults immersed themselves in the observation of stars, planets and other celestial bodies, enjoying an unforgettable evening under a clear sky.

The active participation and enthusiasm of all attendees once again demonstrated the growing interest in astronomy on the island. These types of activities not only promote scientific knowledge, but also strengthen awareness of the need to preserve our skies, a priceless natural heritage. See you at the next AstroFest 2024 activities!

We would like to express our sincere thanks to the Sociedad de Promoción y Desarrollo Económico y Social de La Palma – SODEPAL, for the invitation to this very special event. We thank also the Tourism Department of the Cabildo de La Palma for its funding. Finally, we  thank the collaboration of the Puntallana Town Hall, whose support was crucial for the success of the event.

La entrada Telescope Meeting in Puntallana se publicó primero en AstroLaPalma.

AstroLaPalma is thrilled to participate in an exciting event as part of AstroFest 2024, a celebration dedicated to exploring the skies and promoting astronomical observation. This stellar evening is organized by SODEPAL, with funding from the Tourism Department of the Cabildo of La Palma and in collaboration with the Puntallana Town Council. It promises to be a night of learning, discovery, and wonder.

Date and Time

Friday, September 27th
Join us at the Casa de la Cultura de Puntallana and its surroundings for an evening beginning at 8:00 PM.

Event Program

8:00 PM – “The Sky of La Palma and Its Protection”
Presented by Ana García, CEO of LaPalmaStars – AstroLaPalma. Ana will provide valuable insights into the importance of preserving La Palma’s night skies and its significance for astronomical observation.

8:45 PM – “What to Observe in the Sky?”
Led by Antonio González, Astrotourism Specialist from SODEPAL. Antonio will guide you in identifying celestial objects visible from La Palma, teaching you what to look for and how to make the most of the starry display.

9:30 PM – 11:30 PM – “Telescope Gathering”
The highlight of the evening! Bring your telescope to share with other enthusiasts or, if you don’t have one, explore the night sky using the telescopes we’ll provide. This is a unique opportunity to observe the universe up close and deepen your understanding of astronomy.

Free Admission

This event is completely free, so there’s no reason to miss out on this magical night under the stars!

We eagerly invite you to join us for this unique astronomical experience.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to those who have trusted AstroLaPalma to be part of this special event. We are excited to share our passion for the skies with you and look forward to enjoying an unforgettable evening of celestial discoveries together. See you there!

La entrada Telescope Gathering on September 27th se publicó primero en AstroLaPalma.

The event featured various speakers from the astrotourism field, including our company, AstroLaPalma (www.lapalmastars.com), addressing key topics related to the protection of the night sky and astrotourism, highlighting the efforts made on the island to safeguard our sky.

During the presentation, Ana García, CEO of AstroLaPalma, addressed various issues such as the beginnings of astrotourism in La Palma chronologically or astrophotography, among others. Additionally, during the closing session, we engaged in discussions with other speakers in a roundtable and subsequent question-and-answer session. Among the speakers present with whom I had the opportunity to share this experience were Antonio González, Astrotourism Technician from SODEPAL; Federico de La Paz, head of the Technical Office for Sky Protection (OTPC); and Antonia Varela, manager of the Starlight Foundation. Furthermore, the event was moderated by Juan Bermejo, head of the Digital Transformation Department of the Island Council of La Palma.

From AstroLaPalma, we would like to express our gratitude to ‘La Palma Smart Island’ for inviting us to participate and for continuing to promote astrotourism on the island, highlighting the sky of La Palma and conveying to the population the efforts made both by the authorities and by companies themselves to preserve and protect our sky.

La entrada AstroLaPalma participates in the ‘Night Sky Quality – Astrotourism Conference’. se publicó primero en AstroLaPalma.