A complete crowd of the 10th edition of the Astronomy Festival arrives at the Parc Astronòmic del Montsec

• Science and tourism will take place from October 31st to November 3rd at the Parc Astronòmic del Montsec. Among the visits that can be seen are “La cerca de nous móns”, the “Experiments de Ciència amb Dani Jiménez” or the concert “Música sota les Estrelles amb Bru”. Furthermore, the parallel event ‘Ferro: Fargues, Ferrers i Ferreries’ of the Fundació Arnau Mir de Tost will be organized by the Ajuntament d’Àger.

• Appropriating science in large and small ways with a new form of tourism, the “Tourism of the Stars” is the objective of the festival in a week full of daytime and nighttime activities that will captivate all audiences.

• The Festival also involves the collaboration of the Ajuntament d’Àger, the Consell de la Noguera, the Provincial Council of Lleida and the Geoparc Orígens.

The Parc Astronòmic del Montsec, the main centre for research, training and dissemination of astronomy in Catalonia, will be the setting for the 10th edition of the Astronomy Festival from Thursday 31 October to Sunday 3 November. Under the slogan of bringing science closer to adults and children with a new tourism concept, Star Tourism, this festival promises four days full of fascinating activities for all audiences.

During the presentation of the festival, which took place today, Thursday 3 October, the director of Astronòmic, Salvador J. Ribas, insisted on the success and good reception of the visiting public, since “we have been celebrating the Astronomy Festival for 10 years, an event that was only stopped by the pandemic”. However, Ribas also wanted to highlight the importance “of the numerous collaborations that are being incorporated this year, such as art, photography or heritage days as a parallel event”.

During these four days, the Astronòmic will open its domes to offer a unique perspective of the starry skies. The intergenerational programme includes a wide range of daytime and nighttime activities that will captivate all audiences. These activities include experiments, workshops, concerts and guided tours in the morning, afternoon and evening, all under the impressive Montsec sky.

The Astronomy Festival also has the collaboration of the Àger Town Hall, the Consell Comarcal de la Noguera, the Diputació de Lleida and the Geoparc Orígens.

Featured proposals for all audiences

“Nous Mons Project” – Friday 1 November

This is a package of activities promoted by the Vértices Platform with the artists Jo Milne and Tono Carbajo and the astrophysicist Kike Herrero (Obs. del Montsec). This offer includes the experience “La cerca de nous mons”, guided tours of the exhibition (in the afternoon) and the special night experience “Exoterritoris”.

The three-hour visit will include a special visit at 11:00 a.m. In the afternoon there will be a guided tour of the exhibition at the following times: 5:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m., 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.

Special night experience “El Cel de la Tardor” – Thursday 31, Friday 1 and Saturday 2 November

This is a very special night visit that offers the opportunity to capture the autumn sky and marvel at the most relevant features of the firmament during this time of year. A good opportunity to enjoy the opening of the dome of the planetarium at the Parc Astronòmic del Montsec, unique in the world.

The two-hour event includes a special live planetarium session at the Ull del Montsec and observation at the Parc de Telescopis. The schedules will depend on each day.

“Science Experiments with Dani Jiménez” Experience – Saturday, November 2

The television presenter Dani Jiménez will visit the Parc Astronòmic del Montsec to give a fun workshop aimed at both adults and children. For more than 1 hour, the scientific popularizer will have the mission of bringing science closer to all participants. This activity is completed with a rocket launch workshop.

On this occasion there will be three shifts: 4:00 p.m., 4:15 p.m., 6:00 p.m.

Music sota les Estrelles with Bru – Saturday, November 2 The intimate indie-pop music concert “L’Univers enmig de mi” returns to the Ull del Montsec planetarium of the Parc Astronòmic del Montsec. Their repertoire, mostly in Catalan, emphasizes the western accent. BRU performs her songs accompanied by the indispensable Julià Alexandre Rodríguez (guitar) and Arnau Portero (keyboards).

The show will be followed by a viewing session.

There will be two evening sessions: 10:00 p.m., 11:00 p.m.

Parallel event ‘Ferro:Fargues, Ferrers i Ferreries’ Conference – Saturday, November 2

In parallel with the proposals that will be carried out in the Parc Astronòmic del Montsec, the Àger Town Hall will be the setting for ‘Ferro:Fargues, Ferrers i Ferreries’. The event will take place throughout the morning of Saturday 2 November, from approximately 9:00 to 14:00.

The activity is organised by the Fundació Arnau Mir de Tost.

Family daytime experience “Viatge pel Sistema Solar” – Sunday 3 November

This activity, aimed at families with children up to 12 years old, includes a planetarium session and sun observation. This will be followed by a sundial workshop.

The two-hour visit will be in a single session at 11:00 in the morning.