Until January 2026, the most important astronomy center in Catalonia will offer visitors a more complete and immersive experience

The Astronomical will celebrate the centenary of the birth of the first professional astronomer in Spain, Maria Assumpció Català

2025 will be a year of maximum solar activity, with an increase in sunspots and other elements

The Parc Astronòmic del Montsec, located in the municipality of Àger, in the region of La Noguera, begins its sixteenth season this Friday, February 7, with new proposals and activities for all audiences. In addition to consolidating its commitment to digitalization and sustainability, the Astronomical Park will commemorate the Catalan Assumption Year this season with a series of events that will be added to those already programmed by the Generalitat de Catalunya, among which the central event of the centenary, which will take place in Àger, and the Park’s Astronomy Festival, which will be dedicated to the centenary of the astronomer Assumpció Català.

This season, which will last until January 10, 2026, is marked by three astronomical phenomena of great importance. 2025 will be a year of maximum solar activity. Through their daytime experiences, visitors will be able to discover spectacular aspects of the Sun from the hands of an expert astronomer and, at the same time, enjoy a more dynamic observation of the star.

The Parc Astronòmic del Montsec, managed by Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya, will also be a privileged place to observe various eclipses. On March 29, 2025, a partial solar eclipse with a coverage of 25-30% will be visible, which will cause the brightness of that day to change and the shadows to be perceived weaker. This eclipse will serve as a warm-up for the so-called “Iberian Triplet” with three consecutive solar eclipses between 2026 and 2028.

Among the new features that the Parc Astronòmic del Montsec is preparing, the following stand out:

– Premiere, in March, of the film “Hazelnuts – In Search of the Perfect Planet”, a 3D space adventure for the whole family. Two squirrels travel through space in search of “super hazelnuts” and discover the importance of our planet Earth. This production, awarded with six international awards, is ideal for the little ones.

– Starting in 2025, all general daytime visits will be in 3D and will be extended to 2 hours.

– The offer of night sessions in 3D is doubled compared to last season.

– The Park’s timetable page now shows the availability of tickets for each activity, categorising them according to their demand (high, medium and low). In addition, the website has been updated with new features, such as the Infoparc, a space that provides real-time information on weather, available experiences and exhibition details.

– Starting in March, you can enjoy a new virtual reality mode in the Starlight Room.

In addition, during 2025 there will be three unique experiences:

– The Astronomy Festival, which is held annually and this year reaches its 11th edition, where a wide range of scientific, cultural and leisure activities will be presented, designed for the whole family. The main objective is to disseminate science to society and promote Montsec as an astrotourism destination.

– The “Music under the Stars” cycle, which will reach its 15th edition, combining a visit to the Park with a musical show by Catalan artists. The night visits allow visitors to enjoy music in an unusual setting, under the starry sky.

– And for next Christmas, the Astronomical Park will host the second special program for the Christmas holidays with activities for all audiences that combine science with guided observation and live music, to enjoy a magical experience under one of the most spectacular skies in Catalonia.

Commitment to sustainability

The Parc Astronòmic del Montsec is committed to sustainability through several actions. Among them, the installation of photovoltaic solar panels and an aerothermal system for air conditioning, along with the installation’s home automation monitoring and control system, which allows the equipment to work and promote energy efficiency.

At the same time, the Environmental Management System certificate has been renewed (ISO 14001) during the year 2024, which ratifies its commitment to environmental protection and responsible management of resources.

The Astronomical, an international benchmark

The Parc Astronòmic del Montsec has consolidated its reputation as an international benchmark in the field of astronomy and dark sky protection. In 2020 it was recognized with the International Starlight Award for Excellence in Astronomy Education and Dissemination, adding to other recognitions such as the Platinum Dark Sky Ambassador awarded by the International Astronomical Union in 2019. In addition, the Montsec mountain range obtained the double certification of Starlight Reserve and Tourist Destination in 2013, being the second place in the world to obtain this recognition, endorsed by UNESCO. Currently, the Park continues its work of promoting astronomy, reinforcing its informative and research mission and its commitment to preserving the sky against light pollution.