A starparty or private tour is an astronomy activity designed for small groups (1-4 people). Of course, it can be customised by the client. Either because a clients wants to do an astronomical tour with privacy, with more time and with the possibility to adapt it to your needs. Or just because a clients wants to learn how to set up a telescope or to learn how to do a specific type of night photography, a starparty offers clients the possibility to choose its own experience. Starparties are also ideal for special occasions such as anniversaries, birthdays or a very special and original gift. As this starparties or private tours are customisable, please add your request and your comments in the form below  “Observations section”. This way, if it is for a gift, let us do our best to make it special and unique, or else if you want to book a Starparty as memorable experience, let us know what you are really looking forward to.

We offer the following modalities as private tours for you to choose your starparty. If you are interested in any of our modalities, please fill in this registration form. We will respond via email to your request, with our availability and final price. It is also possible to add the possibility of transport included with an extra cost. On the other hand, if you prefer one of our group activities, please consult our tours and/or astronomical events.

• We recommend booking at least 3 weeks in advance. Availability for private tours depends on the availability of specialised guides and languages. Starparties are highly demanded products due to the exclusivity. Filling out the registration form does not confirm availability.
• Levels*: Basic level: customers don’t need any previous knowledge. Time to enjoy the sky alone! Intermediate level: customers need previous knowledge depending on the modality. We offer training based on this knowledge. Amateur/advanced level: previous knowledge is required and advice is only offered on the particularities of the island: meteorology, locations, or equipment recommendations.

   

Starparty Modalities (see general conditions below)

***Conditions: Important for any starparty. Please take into account…

• Language: English or Spanish. 
• Warm winter and comfortable clothes needed.
• Private tours do not include transport. However, if you would like transport, please request the possibility of adding it as an extra.
• Private tours take place at astronomical viewpoints or sites of astronomical interest. They do not take place inside the facilities of the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory as access to the public is not allowed at night.
• To the duration of the activity, please add times for reaching the site and return.
•  Astro Activities are weather permitting only. We may have to cancel according to weather conditions in which case, we can agree on another date or else refund.
• Except for guide for location or consulting, the starparties are for small groups. If your group has equal or more of 5 people, we may offer you an alternative group tour.  But if regardless, you prefer it in private, please let us know.
• Sending the form does not guarantee your reservation. A booking is considered confirmed once the payment has gone through (payment in advance).
• Some of these activities are not available in high season.
• **Time to start the activity: it depends on sunset time and can also be negociated.

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Take the best images of La Palma’s sunset and night sky during one of our distinctive tours. Learn a little bit of the sky and how to photograph it. Photography tour to learn the basic of nightscape photography.

For groups the tours can be customised according to your preferences. Please send an email to info@lapalmastars.com

• This activity requires a DSLR camera and a basic knowledge of photography and your camera functions.
• This  activity will regularly take place in Summer. Rest of the year the tour will take place on demand. Please send us an email to info@lapalmastars.com
• The activity requires a minimum of 3 participants.

Frequently Asked Questions
Steps for reservation

Important information

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* 7-day Advanced astrophotography course including trips to various parts of La Palma.

Next edition:  Announcement soon! 

An opportunity to join a world-leading astrophotographer Babak Tafreshi (TWAN and National Geographic) for a 7-day intensive workshop covering landscape astrophotography, image processing & timelapse techniques. The AstroMaster La Palma workshop program program will include trips to various parts of the island including the European Northern Observatory. Aimed at photographers & astronomers with some experience on photo processing & timelapse.

Organised by

Astrolapalma S.L.U. (www.lapalmastars.com) Leader in La Palma for astronomy services for amateurs and general public, in collaboration with The world at night program which joins international astrophotographers in promoting stunning nightscape photos and time-lapse videos of the world.

With the participation of Babak Tafreshi

Babak Tafreshi is an Iranian-American photojournalist, National Geographic Explorer, and one of the world’s leading figures in nightscape astrophotography. He is the founder of the international project The World at Night (TWAN), which brings together astrophotographers from around the globe to showcase the beauty of the night sky above Earth’s landscapes.

His work has been widely published and exhibited internationally, including the exhibition “Lights Out: Recovering Our Night Sky” at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History (Washington, D.C.) in 2023, on display through December 2026.

Awarded by institutions such as the Royal Photographic Society and National Geographic, his work bridges art, science, and conservation, presenting the night sky as a universal element that connects humanity.

Web: www.babaktafreshi.com

Workshop Topics

Scheduled in 7 full intensive days (and nights), the AstroMaster workshop will train participants into many topics including:

• Definition of Nightscape Photography
• Best cameras, lenses, and accessories for low-light imaging
• Preparation, how to apply the latest tips and apps for planning your nightscape images
• Best celestial events and targets to photograph and when, where and how to shoot them
• From short exposure Milky Way and constellation images to long exposure star trails
• Using portable star trackers for deeper nightscape and astroimages
• How to use natural and artificial lights at night, from the moonlight to light-painting techniques
• Creating Panoramas, All-Sky images and Virtual Realities
• Creating timelapse videos of sky motion and night-day transitions
• Processing images and photo sequences in Photoshop, Adobe Camera Raw, Lightroom, Adobe Premiere and LRTimelapse.

On site instruction will include what to shoot, selecting composition, camera settings and lens selection. Detailed schedule will be emailed to those interested.

Venue

Los Cancajos, Breña Baja, La Palma (Canary Islands, Spain). Full address and detailed info about logistics will be given after registration.

Language: English

Price

Workshop price: $2550 USD (~ 2250€)* It may vary on next edition.

10% discount to past Astromaster participants

Price & Registration click here (REGISTRATION) 2023 edition. 

More info

Previous editions of AstroMaster La Palma and some of their participants and their photos.

Over the years, AstroMaster La Palma has hosted multiple international editions, with participants from 35 countries. One of the most recognized astrophotography workshops in Europe.

• Edition 1 – September 2013. Miguel Claro, Alexis Bechtel
• Edition 2 – May 2014, @shahin3780,  Justin Kabaus, AntoniJubier, Pierluigi Giacobazzi, Michael Schlünder
• Edition 3 – September 2014, @akruljamil, Ahmad Zahid
• Edition 4 – October 2015 + Conferencia Internacional de Astrofotografía, Tunç Tezel (@vulerulum), @Gislimararnas. @destinationklahr, @saevarhb, Alejandro Sánchez de Miguel, @Teruyasu_kitayama
• Edition 5 – May 2016- Emanuele Balboni (@emabalboni),  @Vikaschander,  Joerg Niggli
• Edition 6 – May 2018 – Astronauta Claude Nicollier, @ChiragUpreti, @dr.puya, Sergio Garcia, @Colegolphotography
• Edition 7 – May 2019 – Bernard Lenses, Elsy Cook, @RosadelRaval, @Mahdi Zamani
• Edition 8 – 2020/2021 (cancelked due to COVID-19)
• EEdition 9 – Mayo2022. Amirreza Kamkar, Bernard Lenses, Elsy Cook, @globularbrain , @destinationklahr, @vjazayeri, @Edred, @carolclix, @vjazayeri
• Edition 10 – May 2023 – Elsy Cook @edreddd, @brewmaster970, @didierctorres, @VanessadelCampo, Amirreza Kamkar, Marcos Ruiz, @fungkawah

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