Under the stars

Dark skies

One of the cleanest atmospheres in Europe, just a step from Alhama: the southeast where the night is still the night.

  • ≈ 3,000 h of clear sky
  • 2,168 m Calar Alto Observatory
  • 12-13 Aug Perseid meteor shower

A dry climate, low light pollution and the altitude of the sierras make the southeast of the peninsula one of the best places in Europe to look up. Near Alhama, you only need to move a few kilometres away from the lights for the Milky Way to appear.

Where to observe

At the gates of Alhama

Sierra de Gádor

The sierra that overlooks the village gains height and darkness within a few kilometres. Its tracks and viewpoints offer clear horizons, ideal for a first night of stars without travelling far.

About 30 km away

Tabernas Desert

Europe's only desert, with dry air and very little artificial light, is an exceptional setting for astrophotography and observing nights. Its lunar landscapes lend themselves to the deep sky.

Sierra de los Filabres · 2,168 m

Calar Alto Observatory

The Spanish-German Astronomical Centre houses one of the largest telescopes in continental Europe (3.5 m). It offers visits and outreach activities; it is best to book and check the calendar.

What you can see

The Milky Way

Summer

On summer nights, the centre of our galaxy crosses the sky from horizon to horizon above the sierras.

Planets

All year

Venus, Jupiter or Saturn are visible to the naked eye at different times; with binoculars you can glimpse the moons of Jupiter.

The Moon

Every month

The relief of craters and seas shows best at first or last quarter, when the shadows pick it out.

Deep sky

Moonless nights

Clusters, nebulae and galaxies reveal themselves far from the lights; a dark sky changes everything.

Meteor showers

  1. 3-4 Jan

    Quadrantids

    Brief but intense, it opens the astronomical year.

  2. 22-23 Apr

    Lyrids

    Fast, bright meteors in spring.

  3. 12-13 Aug

    Perseids

    The "tears of Saint Lawrence", the most popular shower of summer.

  4. 21-22 Oct

    Orionids

    Debris of Halley's Comet, on already cool nights.

  5. 13-14 Dec

    Geminids

    The most prolific of the year, with slow, luminous meteors.

Peak dates are approximate; they vary slightly each year.

Tips for a good night

  • Choose nights near the new moon: moonlight washes out the faintest stars.
  • Move away from streetlights and let your eyes adapt to the dark for about 20 minutes.
  • Bring warm clothing: in the sierra and the desert the temperature drops sharply at night, even in summer.
  • Use a red-light torch and a sky app to find your way without being dazzled.

Frequently asked questions

Before you look up at the sky

Why are the stars so visible here?

Thanks to the dry climate, low light pollution and the altitude of the sierras: south-eastern Spain has one of the cleanest atmospheres in Europe, with about 3,000 hours of clear sky a year.

Where can you stargaze near Alhama?

In the Sierra de Gádor, at the village gates; in the Tabernas Desert (about 30 km away); and, as a regional landmark, the Calar Alto observatory (2,168 m), which offers visits.

When can you see the Milky Way?

On summer nights, when the centre of the galaxy crosses the sky above the sierras. Best on a moonless night.

What are the best meteor showers?

The Perseids (12-13 Aug), the Geminids (13-14 Dec) and the Quadrantids (3-4 Jan). The peak dates vary slightly each year.

What should you bring for a night of stars?

Warm clothes (it gets cold at night, even in summer), a red-light torch and a sky app. Move away from streetlights and let your eyes adjust for about 20 minutes.

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