What to do · Sierra de Javalambre
Small-group night with Galáctica's GT80 or Jean Assan telescope
Information
- From
- €60 per person
- Duration
- 2 h
- Season
- All year, on the dates its website opens
- Who it's for
- Enthusiasts and curious people with some experience
The Saturday night observation takes place in the amphitheatre, with outreach telescopes and large groups. These two sessions are the other side of Galáctica: small groups and two of its big telescopes, pointed at what needs a lot of light, such as galaxies, nebulae and star clusters. Galáctica does not publish a fixed calendar for them: the dates appear in each session's listing, "depending on the time of year".
Three hours with the GT80
The premium session starts in Galáctica's control room, where you see how the telescope is operated, and continues upstairs, in its dome. There the guide explains the instrument and you observe several deep-sky objects through it. The GT80 has an 80 cm mirror, in a Ritchey-Chrétien configuration at f/7, on an alt-azimuth mount with two Nasmyth foci: one carries a CCD camera with filter wheels for astrophotography and the other two-inch eyepieces for looking by eye. Galáctica presents it as one of the largest mirrors in Europe devoted to outreach and direct observation. It takes about three hours and costs €85 per person.
Two hours with the Jean Assan
The limited edition is shorter and more about looking. It begins with a naked-eye survey of the sky, with a laser pointer indicating stars and constellations, and continues with that night's highlights through the Jean Assan, a telescope with a 60 cm mirror built by David Lukehurst with Nichol Optics optics, polished to a tenth of a wavelength. Galáctica stresses that its quality is far above that of the telescopes usual in outreach. It takes about two hours and costs €60 per person.
The museum ticket, first
In Galáctica's shop, both listings ask you to first add a museum ticket to the basket, self-guided (€13) or guided (€16). Check the total before paying and use that ticket in the afternoon: the museum closes at 19:30 in winter. Neither listing sets a minimum age or the exact number of places; if you go with minors or as a group, ask on 613 291 772.
Clouds, cold and moon
The observations depend on the sky. If the forecast is bad, Galáctica emails 48 hours beforehand and, if at 24 hours it is still the same, cancels: you choose a voucher for the amount, valid 12 months for any activity, or an alternative indoor plan. Bring a winter coat and closed shoes at any time of year, because at night the temperature drops a lot, and have dinner beforehand or bring something, because Galáctica has no restaurant. To sleep without driving at night through the mountains, Casa Avelina is in the same village, three minutes away.
Tips
- Look for a new moon With 60 or 80 cm of mirror, what you appreciate most is a Moonless night: faint galaxies disappear with it.
- Do the guided visit first Guided admission also takes you into the domes in the afternoon: you will arrive at the night knowing what is inside.
Frequently asked questions
Which should I choose?
The Jean Assan, if you want a shorter night and to look a lot through a big telescope; the GT80, if you are also interested in how a telescope is operated from its control room.
What happens if it rains or is cloudy?
Galáctica cancels at 24 hours if the forecast is still bad and offers you a 12-month voucher or an indoor plan.
Does the price include the museum?
It does not appear in the listings: the website asks you to add a museum ticket before booking the session.
Who runs it
- GalácticaLimited Edition Night Observation with the 60 cm Jean Assan Visit their website
- GalácticaPremium Night Observation with the GT80 Visit their website
