Christmas. What are its origins? And what is the connection to the Winter Solstice?

The Origins of Christmas stem as far back as Pagan Roman times. The festival was called Saturnalia, an ancient Roman celebration of the God Saturn, which lasted from Dec 17th-23rd. The God Saturn, is usually connected with the Greek Cronos, but it was the Romans who actively worshipped the God, associating him with agriculture and abundance. Saturnalia was a raucous affair! A time where anything goes and the boundaries between Master and Slave no longer exist, implying freedom and the equal standing of all people. Gifts were also exchanged and gambling, drinking and playing games was seen as the norm. Nobody was to work during this time. The Romans saw it as returning to the Golden Age, when the God Saturn ruled over Earth. It was a time of Universal harmony and Saturnalia was a way of spreading that love. Other accounts are that it was more an excuse for illicit activity and that it was only the children of the Masters who served the Slaves. We will never know, but the similarities between Saturnalia and Christmas are undeniable with drinking, feasting, sharing gifts and not working as the main component

The Winter Solstice has been celebrated on the 21st or 22nd of December since ancient times. In the Norse tradition, the Winter Solstice celebrated the rebirth of Sol with offerings to Freyr. In ancient Persia and Iran, honoring Mithra is called Yalda. In the Ancient Roman pantheon, the feast of Saturnalia honored the Gods of Harvest and Plenty, Saturn and Ops. To them, the sun decreasing in visibility as the days of the year moved forward spoke of the dying of the sun. They believed that at the time of the winter solstice the sun actually needed to be reborn so that it could live another year. That’s why, in their religious superstition, they organized annual festivals that were held during the days just before and after the day of the winter solstice. These festivals were celebrations dedicated to the sun god, whatever name that god went by. December 25th, then, was celebrated with a feast to commemorate the birth (rebirth) of the sun.

In English, the world solstice comes from the Latin word solstitium, meaning "sun standing still". It seems to suggest a brief pause as the sun reaches its most extreme Southerly point (as experienced on Earth) before the direction of travel is reversed, resulting in the shortest day and longest night of the Year. On a spiritual level, it teaches us about resilience and hope in the face of darkness. The Sun will rise again, even after the longest night of the Year, bringing new beginnings and brighter days. It's a time to reflect on your inner light and the continuous cycle of growth and renewal.

So the origins of Christmas are based on pagan celebrations, that were slowly transitioned into more christian ideologies and later emerged into the modern Christmas that we celebrate around the globe today.

Capture the Magic: Night Photography in Fuerteventura

photo courtesy of Simon Waldram Photography

Photography can be about capturing the essence of a moment, weaving a narrative, and connecting with the viewer on an emotional level. As the saying goes, 'Without the darkness we can not see the light,' just because we can´t see it, does not mean it´s not there. Night photography shows us what our eyes can´t see. By embracing the darkness, we unlock a world of hidden beauty, where the stars shine brightly and the cosmos unfolds its wonders.

One technique that constantly captivates is long exposure, with its ability to transform ordinary scenes into something ethereal and dramatic. And what better subject for this transformative technique than the night sky? A realm of endless wonder and a canvas of twinkling stars, the night sky has captivated stargazers and photographers for generations. Combining these passions allows us to not only observe the cosmos but also capture its ethereal beauty, creating a truly enriching experience. Fuerteventura can offer  a stargazer's paradise—the perfect location to merge astronomy with the magic of night photography. Here's your guide to capturing the magic of Fuerteventura's night sky.

Why Fuerteventura is Ideal for Stargazing and Night Photography (and what to consider):

Dark Skies, a Valuable Asset: Fuerteventura's commitment to minimizing light pollution as a Starlight Reserve creates the potential for outstanding stargazing and night photography.

Weather and Atmospheric Conditions: While the Canary Islands generally have favorable weather, cloud cover and calima are factors to consider. Successful stargazing and photography require careful planning, including checking weather forecasts and being flexible with your schedule to take advantage of clear nights.

Diverse Landscapes: From volcanic landscapes to pristine beaches, Fuerteventura offers diverse foregrounds to complement your night sky images.

Planning Your Stargazing and Photography Trip:

Check the Moon Phase: A new moon (when the moon is not visible) provides the darkest skies for stargazing and capturing faint celestial objects.

Weather Forecast: Look for clear skies and calm conditions. Websites like Meteoblue or AEMET (Spanish Meteorological Agency), Windy can provide detailed forecasts. Always look up and constantly check, what was true in the morning may change by the evening. 

Location Scouting: Explore potential locations during the day to identify interesting foreground elements and ensure safe access at night. Inland areas away from towns: Provide the darkest skies.

Timing: The best time for stargazing is typically a few hours after sunset, once the sky is fully dark.

Here are some tips for capturing stunning images in low-light conditions:

Fast Lens: A lens with a wide aperture (f/2.8 or wider) is crucial for gathering as much light as possible.

Sturdy Tripod: Essential for long exposures, ensuring sharp images.

Remote Shutter Release: Minimizes camera shake for crisp shots.

Extra Batteries: Cold temperatures drain batteries faster, so bring spares.

Red Light Flashlight or Headlamp: Red light preserves your night vision.

Manual Mode: Provides full control over settings.

Aperture: Use the widest aperture your lens allows for maximum light.

Shutter Speed: Start with a longer shutter speed (e.g., 10 seconds) and adjust as needed.

ISO: Keep it as low as possible to minimize noise, but increase if the image is too dark.

White Balance: Adjust according to the light source (e.g., Tungsten for city lights). 

Focus: Use manual focus and zoom in to ensure sharpness.

Night photography can be a rewarding experience for photographers of all levels. ..

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Ready to take your photography to the next level and unlock the secrets of capturing the night sky?

Join us for our Night Photography Workshop in Fuerteventura this June, from June 22 to June 28 2025!

This workshop will provide a comprehensive learning experience, covering everything from the fundamentals of night photography to advanced techniques for capturing specific celestial phenomena. We'll delve into camera settings, composition strategies, light painting, and post-processing workflows.

Visit www.starsbynight.es/photographyworkshop to learn more and register.

photo courtesy of Simon Waldram Photography

....MAY NIGHT SKY 2019..MAYO 2019 Cielo Nocturno….

Look to the sky

….With the arrival of May, the glorious constellations which marked the astronomical winter, as Orion and the Great Dog, are leaving the protagonism to their rivals of the summer, Scorpius and Sagittarius, bringing back to us the most brilliantpart of the Milky Way. But this month is also the epoch of the great and farthest galaxies, spread inside the great constellations of Leo, Virgo and Coma, now close to the zenith of the night sky. In order to locate and admire them, we shall need the help of a telescope with wide aperture and the guide of an expert. May is also a good month to approach us to the double stars, which offer a variety of objects and colors, from the yellow components of Algieba in Leo, to the blue and orange of Albireo, in the Swan, showing a beautiful contrast with the background of a rich region of the Milky Way.

And finally we can welcome back the giant of the Solar System, the planet Jupiter, offering us the great view of his 4 satellites moving eternally around his bands and zones, so characteristic of his external layers. The Moon will leave us astonished too,  with her big craters, high ranges of mountains and enormous lava seas. The best epoch to observe her is around the First Quarter, which this month is on day 11th.

Clear skies to everybody!  

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Con la llegada del mes de mayo, las gloriosas constelaciones que marcaron el invierno astronómico, como Orión y el Can Mayor, ya dejan definitivamente el paso a sus rivales del verano, Escorpio y Sagitario, que nos traen de vuelta la zona más brillante de la Vía Láctea. Pero este mes es también la temporada de las grandes y lejanísimas galaxias, que poblan las grandes constelaciones de Leo, Virgo y Coma, ya bien cerca del cenit del cielo nocturno. Para localizarlas y admirarlas, necesitaremos de un telescopio con una abertura generosa y la guía de un experto. Mayo es también un buen mes para acercarnos a las estrellas dobles, que nos ofrecen un variedad de objetos y colores, desde el amarillo de las componentes de Algieba en el León, hasta el azul y naranja de Albireo, en el Cisne, que nos presenta una magnífico contraste con el trasfondo de un riquísimo campo de la Vía Láctea.

Y por fin damos la bienvenida al gigante del Sistema Solar, el planeta Júpiter, que nos brinda el espectáculo de sus 4 satélites en eterno movimiento alrededor de sus bandas y zonas que hacen tan características su capa más externa. La Luna tampoco nos dejará indiferentes con sus grandes cráteres, sus cordilleras de altas montañas, sus  inmensos mares de lava. La época mejor para su observación es alrededor del cuarto creciente, que este mes toca el día 11.

¡Cielos despejados para todos!….

....DECEMBER 2018 NIGHT SKY.. DECEMBRE 2018 CIELO NOCTURNO....

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The month of December is marked by the Winter Solstice, which this year falls on the 21st. This was a very important date in the calendar of the ancient inhabitants of Fuerteventura, the Majos, who – according to the historians – met on the top of their sacred mountain, Tindaya's, in order to witness the sunset, forwarding the return of the rains and of the days with more light hours. And this solstice is also announced in the night sky by the presence of the most significant of the Winter constellations, the giant hunter Orion, which for the Majos was only a part of a bigger asterism called ' the Plough', directly connected to agriculture.

Another very important date of the month, and especially for the ones who love the shooting stars, is around the nights of the 13th and 14th, with the most faithful shower of the year, the Geminids, whose slow meteors can reach the count of 120 per hour in optimal conditions of darkness. The Moon will be in her First Quarter, so will set down early, leaving then a dark sky for the second part of the night.

These days around the center of the month are also the best for the observation of our satellite, which leaves always astonished children of all ages with her seas, her craters and her mountains, which we admire with great detail through a telescope in spite of the great distance.

Clear skies to everybody!

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El mes de diciembre está marcado por el Solsticio de Invierno, que este año cae el día 21. Esta era una fecha muy importante en el calendario de los antiguos pobladores de Fuerteventura, los Majos, que - según nos relatan los historiadores- se reunían en la cumbre de su montaña sagrada, la montaña de Tindaya, para asistir a la puesta del Sol en este día, que marcaba la vuelta de las lluvias y de la época con más horas de luz. El solsticio está anunciado en el cielo de diciembre por la vuelta de la constelación más emblemática del invierno, el gran cazador Orión, que en la interpretación de los Majos formaba parte de un asterismo que llamaban 'el Arado', claramente conectado con el cultivo de los campos.

Otra cita muy señalada de este mes, y especialmente para los apasionados de estrellas fugaces, está en las noches del 13 y 14 de diciembre, con la lluvia más fiable del año, las Gemínidas, con meteoros lentos que sin embargo pueden superar el número de 120 por hora en las mejores condiciones de oscuridad. La Luna estará en el Cuarto Creciente, así que se pondrá pronto dejando el cielo muy oscuro en la segunda parte de la noche. Las fechas centrales del mes serán también las mejores para la observación de nuestro satélite, que siempre deja asombrados a los niños de todas las edades con sus cráteres, sus mares y sus montañas, que admiramos con gran detalle a través del telescopio a pesar de su lejanía.

¡Cielos despejados para todos!

….

....SEPTEMBER 2018 NIGHT SKY .. SEPTEMBRE 2018 CIELO NOCTURNO....

….The arrival of September is announcing the end of the Summer and the start of the Autumn, which this year begins on the 23rd of this month. The mayor planets, protagonists of August's sky, are still accompanying us in September. Venus is setting down earlier and earlier in the West, while Jupiter is still in a very favorable position for an observation with a telescope, with his 4 mayor satellites changing their position hour after hour and offering a view similar to a Solar System in a smaller scale. Saturn is reaching his best epoch for our observation, always fascinating us with his fantastic rings, and Mars, after his opposition, is very close to the Earth, shining very brilliant and reddish towards the East.

The Milky Way is now more vertical to the South, letting more protagonism to the most typical Autumn constellations, such as Capricorn and Aquarius.

With the nights getting longer every day, the Moon is not missing her date starting from the second decade of the month. We should not miss the wonderful view offered through the telescope by her seas, her craters and her mountains, in their best moment around the First Quarter of the 17th.

Clear skies to everybody!..

La llegada de septiembre ya anuncia el fin del Verano y la entrada del Otoño, que este año empieza en la madrugada del día 23. Los planetas mayores, protagonistas del cielo de agosto, siguen acompañándonos también en septiembre. Venus se pone cada noche más pronto en el Oeste, mientras que Júpiter está en una época más favorable para su observación con el telescopio, con sus 4 satélites mayores que cambian de posición hora tras hora, ofreciéndonos una imagen parecida a un Sistema Solar en miniatura. Saturno por su parte alcanza en este mes la mejor posición en el cielo nocturno, no dejando de sorprendernos por sus maravillosos anillos, al tiempo que Marte, recién salido de la oposición, se encuentra muy cerca de la Tierra y por eso se nota muy rojizo y brillante en el Este.

La Vía Láctea empieza a ponerse cada vez más vertical en el Sur, dejando paso a las constelaciones más típicas del Otoño, como Capricornio y Acuario.

Con las noches que se van haciendo más largas, la Luna no falta a su cita a partir de la segunda decena del mes. No deberíamos perdernos el espectáculo que nos brindan a través del telescopio su mares, sus cráteres y sus montañas, que ofrecen su mejor imagen en los días cercanos al Cuarto Creciente del 17 del mes.

¡Cielos despejados para todos!….

....AUGUST 2018 NIGHT SKY.. AUGUSTO 2018 CIELO NOCTURNO....

….August is the month most expected by everyone who loves the shooting stars. The Perseids, called locally Tears of Saint Lawrence, are back and around the 12th of the month they are filling our island's skies with their brilliant lights. This year too, the absence of the Moon and the presence of the 4 major planets will make this event even more special, if possible. As a long time tradition, the Antigua's municipality organizes a public and free observation in the Prehispanic village of La Atalayita (information in 928 549653), but you can admire them from all the dark places of the island.

And back to the planets, in the Firmament it's easy to find Venus to the West in the first hours after sunset, while Jupiter shines very high during most of the night. A telescope reveals his dark atmospheric bands and his 4 major satellites, bright dots dancing restlessly around the giant. From the East, Saturn will leave you incredulous when admiring his famous rings, and sometimes also a few of his more than 60 satellites. Mars, the Red Planet, destination of so many exploring missions, is also reaching this area following his apparent retrograde movement.

The Moon accompanies us in the second part of the month. Her mountains, her seas and her craters are all a surprise due to their sharpness and closeness through the telescope, leaving us fascinated every time we admire them.

Clear skies to everybody! ..

Agosto es el mes más esperado por todos los amantes de las estrellas fugaces. Vuelven las Perseidas, las Lágrimas de San Lorenzo, que alrededor del 12 de este mes llenan los cielos de nuestra isla con sus brillantes destellos. Este año, la ausencia de Luna y la presencia de los 4 planetas mayores en el cielo nocturno hará de este evento algo aún más especial. Como ya es tradición, el Ayuntamiento de Antigua organiza una observación pública y gratuita en el Poblado Prehispánico de la Atalayita (información en el 928 549653), pero el espectáculo podrá admirarse desde todos los sitios oscuros de la isla.

Y volviendo a los planetas, en el Firmamento destaca Venus, que se pone bastante pronto en el Oeste, así como Júpiter, que brilla muy alto en el cielo ya a la caída de la noche. El telescopio nos revelará sus bandas atmosféricas oscuras y sus 4 satélites mayores, unos puntos brillantes que danzan incansablemente a su alrededor. Cada vez más alto en el Este, Saturno deja a todo el mundo admirado al contemplar sus anillos, con frecuencia también acompañados por algunos de sus más de 60 satélites. También Marte, el Planeta Rojo destino de tantos programas de exploración, va acercándose a esta zona en su aparente movimiento retrógrado.

La Luna nos acompaña en la segunda mitad del mes. Sus montañas, sus mares y su cráteres nos sorprenden por su nitidez y su aparente cercanía a través del telescopio, dejándonos fascinados cada vez que los admiramos.

¡Cielos despejados para todos! ….