The initiative, promoted by the Rural Development Group Sierra Sur de Jaén (ADSUR) and funded by the Provincial Council of Jaén, aims to bring astronomy closer to the general public and raise awareness about preserving the darkness of the night sky.
The exhibition will begin its tour on September 17, 2026, in Fuensanta, within the Sierra Sur de Jaén Starlight Reserve, and will continue until September 2027, visiting municipalities across the four Starlight Reserves that make up the Jaén Astronomical Corridor.
The inaugural event in Fuensanta will include the award ceremony for the contest, presentations by experts from the Andalusian Institute of Astrophysics (IAA-CSIC) and the University of Jaén, and a showcase of the awarded works.
The first prize was awarded to Francisco José Fernández Moreno for «Cielos de la Sierra de la Pandera. Iluminando la oscuridad» (Skies of Sierra de la Pandera. Illuminating the Darkness), and the second to José Luis Martínez Fernández for «IC1805_Nebulosa del Corazón» (IC1805_Heart Nebula).
After Fuensanta, the exhibition is scheduled to stop in Bedmar (Sierra Mágina) on September 30, Cazorla (Sierra de Cazorla) on October 15, and Hornos (Sierra de Segura) on October 30, with more locations to be added progressively.
The Jaén Astronomical Corridor, the world's first LEADER-certified astronomical corridor, integrates the four Starlight Reserves (Sierra Sur, Sierra Mágina, Sierra de Cazorla, and Sierra de Segura) covering 6,067 km², promoting the protection of its night skies and the development of astrotourism.
The initiative also aims to raise awareness about the need to reduce light pollution, highlighting the night sky as a heritage linked to biodiversity, culture, and science.
