30 Years of the Telescopio Nazionale Galileo in La Palma: creative contests celebrating the Universe

On 29 June 2026, the Telescopio Nazionale Galileo (TNG) will celebrate its 30th anniversary, marking three decades of scientific discovery from the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory in La Palma.

To commemorate this milestone, the Fundación Galileo Galilei – INAF, responsible for operating the Telescopio Nazionale Galileo in La Palma, launches two international creative competitions dedicated to the TNG and its legacy: a photography contest and a literary contest. Participation in both contests is free of charge.

Photography Contest

Open to everyone aged 18 and over, this competition invites participants to capture the essence of the Telescopio Nazionale Galileo, through original images that highlight its scientific value, its environment, and its role in astronomical research, building a visual archive for institutional and promotional purposes.

Submissions must adhere to the proposed theme: “Telescopio Nazionale Galileo”. Entries will be evaluated based on technical and aesthetic quality, realism, originality, and relevance to the theme.

The contest aims to build a diverse visual archive showcasing the scientific and cultural value of the TNG, with cash prizes awarded to the winners.

Literary Contest

Open to participants from 10 years of age and above, the literary contest is divided into age categories and welcomes short stories and poetry inspired by astronomy, TNG, the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory, and the island of La Palma, celebrating imagination and the human connection to the Universe.

Works must be written in Spanish or Italian. Prizes will be awarded for each category and for each language used.

Both initiatives aim to celebrate the contribution of the TNG to science and culture while encouraging creativity, imagination, and participation from around the world.

Deadline for both contests is 20 July 2026 at 14:00 GMT