The Starmus science and music festival is set to return to the Canary Islands in April 2025 for a special edition on the island of La Palma. Founded by astrophysicist Garik Israelian and Queen guitarist Brian May, Starmus combines art, music, and science to engage people in important questions of our time. The festival, which usually takes place every two years, recently held its seventh edition in Slovakia in April 2024, attracting over 100,000 attendees.
The upcoming Starmus La Palma edition, known as the “Island of Stars,” will focus on the challenges of light pollution and space debris while showcasing La Palma as one of the best places in the world for stargazing. In partnership with the Starlight Foundation, the festival aims to contribute to the recovery of La Palma following the 2021 eruption of the Cumbre Vieja Volcano, which caused significant damage to the island.
La Palma, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, is renowned for its natural beauty and dark skies, making it an ideal location for stargazing. The Roque de los Muchachos Observatory on the island is home to the largest optical-infrared telescope in the world. As the first location to be declared a Starlight Reserve and Starlight Tourist destination, La Palma is committed to preserving its natural landscape and dark skies for future generations to enjoy.
The four-day program for Starmus La Palma 2025 will feature world-class lectures and performances from a stellar lineup of speakers and artists, with more details to be announced in September 2024. The festival aims to be the most informative and accessible Starmus yet, with all events open to the public and free of charge.
Daisy Dobrijevic, a space enthusiast with a background in plant physiology and environmental science, joined Space.com in 2022. With a passion for solar activity, space weather, and astrotourism, Daisy brings a unique perspective to the world of space science communication. Stay tuned for more updates on the Starmus festival and other exciting space news on our Space Forums. If you have any news tips or comments, feel free to reach out to us at community@space.com.
