Astronomy and Astro-tourism in Extremadura
Extremadura is one of the regions with the best conditions for observing the night sky in Spain. Not only because of its good climate and its vast territory far from large agglomerations but also because it has the strategy "Extremadura, good night": a regional initiative that seeks to position the region as a privileged destination for enjoying experiences under the stars.
Through this proposal, work is being done throughout the region to promote astro-tourism. How? By identifying favourable places for contemplating the celestial vault; creating facilities for observation with telescopes, such as El Anillo and the Monfragüe Observatory; installing astronomical resources, such as the network of celestial viewpoints and night-time trails. A whole series of initiatives that bring knowledge of the universe closer to the visitor.
Astronomical experiences in Extremadura
On the other hand, the region has several companies specializing in star tourism that are committed to creating unforgettable experiences under the marvellous celestial vault that can be seen from Extremadura. Several of them have created an association of companies collaborating with "Extremadura, good night" "Universo_EBN" with the idea of promoting quality astronomical tourism that values Extremadura's stellar heritage. For our part, we also offer astro-tourism activities in the Sierra de Gata.
One of the pioneering companies in Extremadura is Entre Encinas y Estrellas. It is located in the province of Badajoz and offers different astronomical activities. It also has one of the largest telescope-hosting complexes in Europe.
In this context, the Sierra de Gata region benefits from privileged conditions for the enjoyment of the sky. Its historical isolation has made it a natural stronghold in every sense of the word. Here, cultural, historical, gastronomic, immaterial, natural, and stellar heritage combine to provide a unique setting for unforgettable experiences.
Here you can find more information about astronomy and astro-tourism in the Sierra de Gata.
The "Sierra de Gata Cultural Park" initiative highlights this unique area and its five magical valleys. An enclave that is more than ideal for developing stellar experiences.
Starlight initiatives in Extremadura
The Starlight Foundation considers the night sky to be an intangible heritage of humanity and the enjoyment of starlight an inalienable human right. For this reason, since 2007, it has been promoting the protection of the night sky, astronomical dissemination, and sustainable development through astro-tourism. This entity has created a certification system that accredits the quality of the skies in an environment that also stands out for promoting its conservation.
Extremadura has four Starlight certifications:
- Monfragüe National Park: Starlight Biosphere Reserve;
- The Alqueva Lake: the first cross-border Starlight destination, comprising thirteen municipalities;
- The region of Las Hurdes: Starlight destination;
- El Chorreón de Moraleja: Starlight destination.
The region also has several certified accommodations in the region.
Astronomical Associations in Extremadura
On the other hand, the region saw the birth in Monfragüe Park a few years ago of the "Asociación Astronómica Placentina Mintaka", which takes its name from one of the stars in Orion's Belt. Although it is the only federated association in Extremadura, it has managed to establish strong links with the astronomical associations in the province of Salamanca (OSAE, Astróbriga, and Supernovae) and Portugal. They often participate in cross-border activities together.
Among other astronomical outreach activities, Mintaka participates in the NixNox project taking measurements of light pollution in the province of Cáceres. This initiative promoted by the Complutense University of Madrid and the Spanish Astronomy Society (SEA) is part of the Stars4All dynamic, a European project whose aim is to raise public awareness of the negative impact of artificial light on our ecosystems. The NixNox project provides the public with a repertoire of privileged enclaves from which to enjoy dark skies.
Extremadura: an exception on the European continent
Fortunately, in Spain there are still areas with quality night skies, among others in Extremadura. Thanks to initiatives such as "Extremadura, buenas noches" (Extremadura, good night), a commitment is being made to the conservation of this common heritage that is the starry night sky.
Getting away from our screens and the lights of our cities allows us to reconnect with the cosmos and with the ancestral knowledge that we are losing. It also allows us to relativise our daily problems and to realise that the world we live in is but a speck of blue in the immensity of the Universe, as Carl Sagan put so well.
The sky: universal heritage of humanity
The sky is part of humanity's universal heritage, yet because we have the impression that it is always there, above our heads, we are not aware that we are mistreating it. The problem is that we are hiding it under the lights of our cities, and in doing so, we are losing the link that we as humanity established with the cosmos.
Not so long ago, rural people knew how to determine the time of year, and the time of day, control agricultural cycles, or move through the night simply by looking at the sky. However, this folk wisdom is being lost at an accelerated rate due to the abuse of artificial light in our environments, which causes those starry skies to disappear from our sight. According to the 2016 World Atlas of Pollution, 83% of the world's population has polluted night skies. That percentage rises to 99% if we consider Europe and the USA.