Parc Astronòmic del Montsec

The Parc Astronòmic Montsec (PAM) is an initiative of the Government of Catalonia to take advantage of the skills and potential of the Montsec area for research, training and dissemination of science, especially astronomy.

The PAM takes advantage of unique characteristics that make Montsec the most appropriate place in Catalonia for the installation of centers with the particularities of the Montsec Astronomical Observatory (OAdM) and the Center d'Observació de l'Univers (COU). In order to take full advantage of an astronomical installation, the environment must meet conditions that favor its performance and exploitation. It is necessary, above all, to evaluate the quality of the images that can be obtained (study of the stability of the image or seeing), the meteorological conditions and the effect of light pollution in the place.

Several scientific studies corroborated the suitability of the place and it was concluded that Montsec was a unique place in Catalonia for the installation of professional astronomical equipment and for a teaching and dissemination center such as the Parc Astronomical Montsec.

Low rainfall (less than 500 mm / year), moderate humidity and a high percentage of calm nights made it a suitable location. Image quality tests showed that its altitude above sea level and its remarkable distance from the Mediterranean coast allowed for adequate stability.

Finally, the light pollution studies qualified the sky of the place where the Parc Astronòmic Montsec is located as a sky free of light pollution, which earned it the qualification of a reference point in the protection of the sky by Law 6/2001 of the Parliament of Catalonia, known as the "Light Pollution Law".