The summer nights are amazing—there is no doubt about that. Why? Because the nights, during the summer, are warmer and, above all, the majority of us enjoy our well-deserved holidays in paradises like Tenerife. Did you know that, during the summer, the Tenerife sky is ideal to see the Milky Way? Keep reading and we will tell you why. Are you ready to discover it?
Why is it worth seeing the Milky Way from Tenerife
If you are (or will be) in Tenerife this summer, you have to know that you cannot miss going up Teide to see the Milky Way underneath the blanket of stars of our Starlight sky. It really is an experience you have to live in the flesh and blood.
The Milky Way is undoubtedly one of the biggest extravaganzas of the summer. But what is it? It is a misty band that crosses the sky and that is particularly visible during the summer months. To see it, simply look towards the southern horizon where you will see the silver band of the Milky Way.
Once you have found the Milky Way in Tenerife’s starlit sky (not to be confused with clouds, please!!!) stop to tour through its stars. You will be blown away with such beauty! The Milky Way is a grouping of millions of stars whose light is so faint that they cannot be individually distinguished by the naked eye. Isn’t it magical?
You will be blown away by the fact that the Milky Way contains some 100 billion stars that form a stellar disk with a span of 100 to 200,000 light years. Wow!
The most prominent stars in the sky, strongly visible in the summer
But the Milky Way is not the only star of the show in the starlit summer sky. No. During the summer, it is also possible to marvel at a formation of stars known as the Summer Triangle, which is formed by the stars Vega, Altair and Deneb. In fact, this formation of stars, which is an asterism (or a pseudo-constellation of stars) is what indicates that summer is here, ladies and gentlemen!
The Summer Triangle starts to show at the end of spring and fades at the beginning of autumn. Summer is when you can really make the most of this formation, hence why it uses this season in its name.
This formation of stars is easy to find as it is formed by the three brightest stars in the summer: The Vega star, which belongs to the constellation of Lyra; the Deneb star, from the constellation of Cygnus (whose “head” is marked by Albireo, a double star that will surprise you if you see it through a telescope); and the Altair star, which belongs to the constellation of Aquila. Although the latter is the least shiny of the three stars, it is the one that completes the Summer Triangle as it continues to be one of the brightest stars in summer’s starry sky.
How to see the Milky Way and the stars in Tenerife
If you don’t know the first thing about asterisms, constellations and the Milky Way, don’t worry. This summer you can take advantage of your stay in Tenerife to discover the secrets of the Universe as well as to enjoy the warm summer nights in an unbeatable setting to see the stars—Teide National Park—with the help of our astronomical guides who will explain everything and more about the starry sky.
All you need to do is book our experience to see the stars and the Milky Way on Teide and go to the foot of the volcano with a backpack full of joy and be ready to learn and savour the experience.
