ASTRONOMICAL OBSERVATION: SUMMER NEBULAE

The Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències invites you to a free stargazing event at the Astronomy Garden, next to the Umbracle. A unique opportunity to explore some of the most spectacular summer nebulae through five telescopes.

The night of Thursday, September 18 offers optimal conditions to observe these celestial wonders, even under light-polluted skies like Valencia’s. Starting at 9:30 p.m., visitors will enjoy an open-air astronomy experience and observe true gems of the deep sky.

Among the highlights is the Lagoon Nebula, a stunning star-forming region that appears through binoculars as a bright patch near the center of the Milky Way. To the naked eye, it shows a characteristic reddish hue, while long-exposure photographs also reveal shades of blue and purple.

Another star of the night is the Swan Nebula (also known as the Omega Nebula), a bright and active stellar nursery located in the constellation Sagittarius. Its elongated and curved shape has reminded observers of various figures over the years: a flying swan, a horseshoe, or the Greek letter omega.

The Dumbbell Nebula will also be visible—one of the brightest planetary nebulae in the night sky. Through binoculars, it appears as a faint, diffuse patch; with small telescopes, its oval shape starts to emerge. This nebula is a fascinating example of the final stage in the life of stars like our Sun.

Finally, the Ring Nebula, located in the constellation Lyra, is one of the most famous and photogenic planetary nebulae. Its unmistakable ring shape is visible even through small telescopes, appearing as a blurry patch with a circular or oval outline. With medium-sized telescopes, its ring structure becomes clear, showing a dark center and a well-defined bright rim.

This activity is free and open to the public until full capacity is reached, and is subject to weather conditions.

Don’t miss this starry night at the Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències!