The overwhelming vastness of the star-studded sky and the nocturnal beauty of the volcanic landscape create a magical setting. As you pick up your star chart and put your eye to the telescope, you begin to recognise constellations, planets and satellites, one after another, like there is no end to the wonders of the sky. The hours tick by but you are so enthralled in your passion that you barely notice... until a shooting star whizzes by. You quickly try and think of a wish, but nothing springs to mind. There is nowhere in the world you would rather be.
Mount Teide National Park is the ideal location for treating your eyes to such breathtaking sights as the rings of Saturn, the Moon's craters and no end of galaxies and nebulae. Mount Teide and the Peaks of Tenerife were recently awarded the Starlight Certification in acknowledgement of their international standing as an ideal location for stargazing.
The best options for successful stargazing are:
This is the highest peak in the Las Cañadas del Teide amphitheatre and is a great spot for scanning the sky. Getting there involves following somewhat difficult trails, but the reward is worthwhile.
If you would rather avoid the bother of long walks, a convenient and comfortable option would be to find a stargazing point near the Parador hotel. Advantages? You can always take refuge there if the weather takes a sudden turn, if it starts to rain, if the temperature drops or if it snows (an unlikely event as it only happens a couple of days a year in winter and the forecasts will usually warn you).
The Park's various lookout points are also a great place to observe the sky thanks to their strategic location in elevated areas with unbeatable visibility. The one at Llano de Ucanca ranks among the best.
You can choose to take a self-guided tour around the seven observation points in Teide National Park, where you will learn about the link between this World Heritage Site, the stars and the planets.
A series of information boards have been set up at the Park's lookout points in a specific order to form a trail, which you can follow in order to learn more about the fascinating conjunction between the sky and Mount Teide. These are the boards you will find (in order, from El Portillo to Chío):
At a height of over 2,400 metres (7,800 feet) above sea level stand the telescopes of the Teide Observatory, operated by the Canary Islands' Institute of Astrophysics, which just goes to show the excellent quality of the Island's skies. The keenest enthusiasts can sign up for a guided tour of the observatory to see how its huge instruments work and what scientists from all over the world get up to there.
In Tenerife, particularly in the northern part, you will find a number of companies that specialise in stargazing. They can provide you with all the equipment, information and advice you need to make the most of your outings, and they also organise night-time trips and gatherings. If you choose to go on one, they have expert instructors and state-of-the-art technology.
The first tip for proper stargazing is to be in a place away from any major source of light. This means avoiding cities and avoiding the moon, especially when it is full.
It is also best to stay away from roads and, if you have a torch, put a red strip on it so that it only shines as brightly as necessary to read a celestial map. The reason for this is that the human eye needs 15 to 30 minutes to adapt to darkness. Any strong light beam (such as a torch or car headlights) ruins this adaptation. Even if the light source has been switched off, it is necessary to wait another 15 minutes.
Observing the sky also requires space, so it is best to choose an open place with the widest possible field of view.
Thanks to its privileged climate, the transparency of its sky and the high number of hours of useful observation, Tenerife is one of the best places on the planet for observing the universe. These factors mean that the stars can be observed optimally practically all year round.
The equipment needed to enjoy Tenerife's night sky ranges from binoculars (attached to a tripod) to the most sophisticated telescopes. Many amateurs also carry torches, sky maps and laptops. There are companies that provide the equipment required for this activity.
As the best stargazing areas are at the highest points on the island, it is advisable to always bring warm clothing (especially on cold winter nights when temperatures can easily drop below freezing). The coat can be accompanied by a thermos with a hot drink and some food.
If the observation area is part of a protected area on the island, you may need to apply for a permit. For this reason, it is best to contact companies specializing in this activity.
