  Sebastián Picchetti
At the Paraná Delta, 29 kilometers away from Buenos Aires, we went on an astronomy tour: a guided visit to the stars and planets, their mythology and the history of the civilizations that gave them their names. |
Under the protection of the beautiful grand house that has ornamented this quiet nook of the Delta since 1898, we were ready for this activity to begin while we sat on the river bank with our feet in the water, setting our senses free from the hustle and bustle of the city. As soon as the sun set on the horizon, Patricia Juárez, our guide, made us notice how the wind stopped completely and the birds stopped singing.
She told us that in former times, the cultures that had a closer contact with nature also interrupted their daily tasks in order to meditate and carry out their rites and reflect. |
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Sunset on the Islands
As we enjoyed the quiet twilight, the heavenly bodies began to burn in the sky. We see bright Jupiter and Venus appear next to the Moon. Afterwards, no sooner did it find its place over the lush vegetation of the Delta, Antares began to shine with a flashing and distant red flare.
As the sky became crowded with stars, Patricia taught us how to identify the planets of the solar system which, due to the movement of our Earth, cross the sky from one side to the other over a fix starry background. |
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We had a break to enjoy some empanadas and pizzas made in the masonry oven for dinner. Patricia told us about the tours organized by her astronomical tourism team around salt deposits, deserts, seas, mountains and places like this, away from the visual contamination of the city, where over 4,000 stars may be spotted at first sight.
After we had finished our dessert and a cup of coffee, the sky curtain was at its zenith. Then, the second part of the excursion began: carrying binoculars and torches, we headed for the heart of the woodland on the island on a journey across the night and the mythology that gave name and meaning to the stars. |
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The Ancient and their Stars
We had a broad view of the horizon from an elevated clearing in the woodland. The breeze brought the aroma of wild flowers and the toads were singing. The fireflies seemed to draw fleeting constellations in the lush grove.
We focused on great Jupiter and even spotted its three small moons. As we aimed at the Pleiades, almost unnoticeable at first sight, we recognized their beautiful blue stars and the nebula around them clearly, unquestionable evidence of their short age. |
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As she pointed at the clusters of stars with her laser pointer, Patricia told us about the ancient knowledge of the Persian, the Greek, the Celts, the Mayas and the Aztecs. Likewise, the primitive dwellers of our lands found the shapes of boleadoras, choiques and other local animals in these clusters of stars, thus reflecting their myths and life experiences.
As the night passed, the starry curtain continued moving overhead. Upon our return, while we drank some coffee, Patricia told us that the aim of astronomical tourism is to learn the same things the ancient cultures used to learn. Having fun and enjoying the real thing.
We can testify we have fulfilled the aim. |
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Astronomical Tourism at the Delta
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We enjoyed this activity at Bonanza Deltaventura’s grand house, a petit hotel surrounded by this beautiful wild scenery where visitors may also go on horseback rides or practice canoeing, hiking, mountain biking and many other activities.
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