Almansa has presented the upcoming astrotourism activities in 2025 with an educational and astronomical outreach program promoted by the Association of Astronomy and Astrophotography of Almansa and supported by the Almansa City Council. This was announced this morning at a press conference by the Tourism Councilor, Javier Boj; the founding partner of Astroalmansa, Juan Aguado; and the Environment Councilor, Javier Gimeno.
Javier Boj emphasized the importance of this program, which is carried out with certified monitors such as Starlight and will allow bringing astronomy closer to the public. «This nominative agreement signed with the association includes five activities throughout the year. The first, ‘Getting to Know the Sun,’ will take place on March 23 at 12:00 p.m. at Molino Alto,» Boj explained. He also detailed that the rest of the activities will include observations of constellations and stars, the experience ‘Astronomer for a Day,’ the observation of the Perseids, and the International Day of Moon Observation.
On his part, Juan Aguado highlighted the importance of starting the program with the study of the Sun. «We are in a period of maximum solar activity, a phenomenon that occurs every 11 years and has caused spectacular auroras visible even in our locality,» he pointed out. The activity will allow observing the Sun safely through specialized telescopes. «The use of appropriate filters is essential, as direct observation without the right means can be dangerous,» he warned.
Aguado also provided details on upcoming activities, such as observing constellations in June and the meteor shower in August. «We want participants to learn to navigate the night sky and handle telescopes, something that may seem complex, but with some basic knowledge, it is entirely accessible,» he stated. He also announced that the International Day of Moon Observation will be a massive event coordinated with NASA and observers from around the world.
The Environment Councilor, Javier Gimeno, emphasized the suitability of the selected natural spaces for these activities. «Molino Alto, the surroundings of the Pantano, and Casa Alfonso are privileged places for astronomical observation. From the council, we will support these initiatives to promote environmental education and scientific dissemination,» he stated.
The activities, primarily aimed at children aged 10 and above, will be free and with limited spaces. Registrations can be made through email and the telephone of the Tourism Office, as well as in-person at their facilities. «We encourage all families to register as soon as possible to enjoy a unique experience of knowledge and observation of the universe,» Boj concluded.