The festival in La Massana featured telescope sessions, guided constellation tours, and eclipse education

The Andorra Comapedrosa Astronomy Festival wrapped up in La Massana over the weekend, drawing nearly 600 participants who benefited from excellent weather and a dark, moonless sky for optimal stargazing.

The highlight came Saturday at 11pm, when Arinsal switched off its lights in collaboration with the local quart and residents, minimizing light pollution for clearer views of the night sky. Attendees used six large automated telescopes to spot deep-sky objects including the Hercules globular cluster (M13), the Ring Nebula, and the double star Albireo. Guided tours covered major constellations along with their myths and legends.

Activities kicked off Friday with an astrophotography session at Coll de la Botella, organized alongside the Northern Valleys Photography Association (AFVN or AFVAN), plus family-oriented junior nighttime observations. The event closed Sunday with a dawn yoga session, performances by the Northern Valleys Music Box ensemble, and further workshops.

This year's focus included outreach on the partial solar eclipse set for August 12, visible from Andorra with 99.7% coverage. A practical simulation at Les Fontetes taught safe observation techniques, and astrophysicist Josep Masalles stressed the need for certified filters throughout to prevent eye damage, even with partial obscuration. La Massana parish is planning an eclipse celebration at Port de Cabús featuring educational activities, music, and food; tickets go on sale soon.

Tourism Minister Mònica Solé hailed the turnout and repeat visitors, noting that the event delivers "a unique spectacle" merging science, nature, and emotion. It also spurred economic activity in Arinsal, where twelve restaurants offered special menus, while aligning with La Massana's Starlight destination strategy to promote tourism, dark-sky protection, environmental awareness, and scientific engagement.