The Sobrarbe region once again looks to the heavens with the 24th Astronomy Conference 'Stars in the Pyrenees', an event that will be held from November 21 to 23 In AÃnsa and Boltaña, a program will be held that focuses on the upcoming major eclipses. For three days, a combination of activities will take place. scientific talks and public observations under some of the cleaner skies of the Pyrenees.
With 200 places With the aim of bringing science closer to the rural world, the event will alternate presentations in the Boltaña Congress Palace with nighttime observations in the Ainsa Castleweather permitting. Local authorities and the Huesca Astronomical Association They highlight its ability to revitalize the area and Seasonalize tourism in Sobrarbe.
Program and speakers
The activities will be divided among the Boltaña Congress Palace and the Ainsa Castlewith public observations at the end of the day on Friday and Saturday, if the weather conditions are favorableThe science program delves into the Sun, the Moon, and the mechanics of the planets. eclipses.
On Saturday at 10:15, will open the day Javier RodrÃguez Pacheco with 'The Sun as you've never seen it before: the Solar Orbiter mission', an immersion into the European probe that observes our star with state-of-the-art instrumentation.
A las 12:00, will take over Javier Ventura, academic of the Royal Academy of Engineering, with 'New lunar communication and navigation infrastructures: towards a new paradigm in exploration', focusing on the networks that will make a sustainable return to the Moon possible.
In the afternoon, at 17:00, the astronomer and science communicator Jordi Lopesino will pose 'Is anybody there? A current review of the Fermi paradox', a review of what we know and we don't know about intelligent life in the cosmos.
Sunday at 10:30the astrophysicist David Galadà It will cover 'Safe Observation of the Iberian Trio of Solar Eclipses 26-27-28', with guidelines and keys to enjoy the phenomenon with security and rigor.
A las 11:45the astrophotographer Juan Carlos Casado will present 'In Search of the Black Sun: 40 Years of Journeys and Expeditions to Solar Eclipses', a unique look at four decades of eclipse chase all over the planet.
The program also includes the presentation of two works: the novel 'Martina?'by Rubén Blasco and the'Solar Eclipse Observation Manual'by Jordi Lopesino, along with a practical astrophotography workshop with Roberto GarcÃa and the presentation of plaques from Messier Marathon of Monzón.
There will be a tribute to JoaquÃn Vidal, a recently deceased amateur astronomer from Aragon, whose legacy and materials will be present as recognition of his passion for the sky of Aragon.
Eclipses 2026-2028: what to see
The president of the Huesca Astronomical Association, Alberto Solanes, underlines the magnitude of Total solar eclipse of August 12, 2026which will be visible in the southern part of Huesca around the 20:26very close to sunset. In the city of Huesca, the closer to the center of the strip, the longer the duration, up to a minute and a half approx.
The arrival of thousands and thousands of people to the Iberian Peninsula to follow the phenomenon, an experience that many describe as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunityThe Group plans observation activities in locations such as the area of Fraga (Cardiel) to make the experience easier for the public.
The next major milestone will be the eclipse of 2027, which will be observed in the south of Spain and that is destined to be one of the most long in peninsular territory, exceeding five minutes of totality at its best point.
En 2028 An eclipse will come cancel Visible from the Iberian Peninsula, closing an exceptional trio of events that gives meaning to the focus of these days, with talks dedicated to understanding Sun, Moon and Earth as the stars of the show.
Local impact and scientific tourism
According to the mayor of AÃnsa, Enrique PueyoThe castle and its surroundings are a place privileged to look at the sky, and the event provides a boost to the local economy and to tourism and sustainability in the mountainsThe organization estimates an impact of more than 60.000 Euros in a single weekend, in line with the positive tourism figures: AÃnsa adds 455.272 visitors until the end of September and maintains a unemployment rate of 4%.
Pueyo points out that AÃnsa is around the 1.400 inhabitants and that the region is approaching the 7.800noting that initiatives like these help to maintain services and employment open all year round in the villages of Sobrarbe.
From Boltaña, the councilwoman MarÃa Eugenia Lavilla highlights the role of the conferences as a driving force social, cultural and economic, and its contribution to the deseasonalization of tourism. The shared request from the region is clear: that the weather allows all the anticipated observations.
The vice-president of the Huesca Provincial Council, Celsa Rufas, recalls the institution's continued support for a proposal that unites dissemination and territoryIt indicates the quality of the skies of Sobrarbe as a valuable resource, and the choice of AÃnsa and Boltaña by the Group is not by chance.
For the organization, the added value lies in bringing science to the rural world and to involve the municipalities in a historical astronomical calendar, with the horizon set on the great eclipses which will attract visitors from all over Europe.
Registration, venues and organization
Registration costs €40 for members of the Astronomical Association of Huesca and €50 for the general public, With the Meal includedAdvance booking is recommended, given the limited availability. 200 places and the interest the program generates.
The papers will be held in the Boltaña Congress Palace and nighttime observationsThe events, open to the public, will take place in the Ainsa Castle Weather permitting. The combination of settings makes it easy for both fans and families and visitors that they come and learn about the event.
La Huesca Astronomical Association It promotes the program with national and international experts, reinforcing the commitment to a conference that consolidates Sobrarbe as a benchmark in star tourism and quality scientific dissemination.
An edition that goes all out: eclipses as protagonistspublic observations, training, and a look at the sky that transcends the academic to become collective experience in two iconic locations in the Pyrenees.