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The Sierra de Guara, a prime spot for stargazing
There’s one thing missing in Guara – do you know what it is? Light pollution! And that means one thing: if you come to the Sierra y los Cañones de Guara Natural Park, you’ll be in the perfect spot for stargazing. Whether through an organised activity, such as those held in the region every year, or on your own, with the help of a simple pair of binoculars or nothing at all.
Here, to see the stars, all you need to do is wait until nightfall and look up.
The Aragón Planetarium: the best way to start
Depending on where you’re coming from to Guara or simply taking a short detour to the Planetarium a8> short detour you’ll reach the Aragón Planetarium, located on the outskirts of the city of Huesca. The Planetarium of Aragón is an excellent starting point for your activities related to astronomy or stargazing of stars.
Whether you’re visiting as an individual or as part of a group, you’ll be able to learn a wealth of information, brush up on your knowledge, or ask the planetarium staff any questions you may have. We recommend planning your visit in advance and booking your tickets, particularly for Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.
It’s a place with activities for all ages that will make you see the stars in a whole new light.
Where to stargaze in the Sierra de Guara
Once you’ve visited the Aragón Planetarium, it’s time to head to Guara, find a quiet spot away from the main villages, and wait for night to fall. You can do this on your own or take part in one of the 14 activities organised as part of the ‘Turismo de Estrellas’ programme in Guara Somontano, run by the Somontano de Barbastro region.
There are 14 activities centred around three themes: “The Depths of the Universe”, “The Moon’s Dream” and “Planet in Sight”. I’m sharing the link for two reasons: firstly, if you’re in the area and have time, you can sign up to attend one of the activities; but if not, don’t worry, because you can also use the locations of the various activities to create your own night under the stars.
All the places listed in the link below are perfect for stargazing.
Tips for a perfect night of stargazing
Firstly, find a dark, quiet spot. The locations for the “Star Tourism” activities offer a few good options.
2. In case you’ve never done it before. We all love the moon, but when it comes to stargazing, it’s your enemy. If there’s a full moon, you might still see some stars, but the display won’t be as impressive – at least as far as the stars are concerned. That said, the moon is also brilliant for a relaxing evening in the countryside. Here’s a calendar showing the phases of the moon in the province of Huesca.
https://meteogram.org/moon/spain/huesca/
3rd. Use a torch, preferably one with a red light, which is much more comfortable than a white light as it prevents glare and allows you to see the stars more clearly.
The other essential recommendation is to pack some warm clothes. It’s better to have too many than to need them and not have any. And as you won’t have to walk far to find the perfect spot, you could bring a camping chair so you can enjoy the view for longer. If the ground is nice and flat, a towel will do the trick just fine.
If you have a telescope, that’s brilliant, but if not, you can still get a lot out of the experience with a simple pair of binoculars. If you know nothing about astronomy, I’d recommend a mobile app to help you identify what you’re seeing. There are hundreds of them, though I’d suggest using Skymap, allowing it to access your exact location. Recently, observing satellites has also become quite popular, as there are thousands of them. Using your mobile browser and with your precise location enabled, you’ll know exactly which satellite is passing overhead.
This last recommendation isn’t really for everyone. But if you’re in good company, you’ll enjoy a snack all the more.
An unforgettable night in the Sierra de Guara
And that’s it – I think you’ve got everything you need to enjoy a night of stargazing in the Sierra y los Cañones de Guara Natural Park. Those of us who live in the villages are more or less used to starry skies, but if it’s been a while since you’ve been out in nature at night and you live in a big city, the spectacle will be breathtaking.
Enjoy!
