A New Supernova Over the Skies of La Spezia

by Professor Saïd Rachafi

On 8 July 2026, Professor Saïd Rachafi visited the Monte Viseggi Science Park in La Spezia, Italy, where he met a group of amateur astronomers and members of the Strophile Institute. Their discussions focused on astronomy, the evolution of sky observation, and the Arabic origins of many star names, leading to plans for a collaborative lexicon of these historical astronomical terms. The highlight of the evening was the live observation of the newly discovered supernova SN2026sqf in the galaxy NGC 3310. Using the RC400 telescope and advanced imaging equipment, astronomers at the Luciano Zannoni Astronomical Observatory captured one of the Northern Hemisphere’s most recent stellar explosions, providing valuable insight into stellar and galactic evolution. 

The team also reflected on the significance of NGC 3310, a starburst spiral galaxy about 42.7 million light-years away whose intense star formation was triggered by a merger with a smaller galaxy roughly 100 million years ago. The visit concluded with discussions about future collaboration on the total solar eclipse of 2 August 2027 in Tangier, Morocco, an event expected to draw scientists, amateur astronomers, and visitors from around the world through a program of scientific and educational activities.

"What we witnessed was nothing less than the light of a star reaching the end of its life—an extraordinary phenomenon that allows astronomers to study the evolution of stars and galaxies. We spent a long moment observing the beautiful galaxy NGC 3310, also known as the Archer Galaxy." - Professor Saïd Rachafi

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About Morocco Travel Adventures Group (MTAG):  MTAG and its parent small business APR GROUP, INC. (APR) have planned, organized and executed trips beginning in Cuba (CTAGCuba.com) in 2013. The company's uniqueness is in the tailored, flexible daily itineraries, each adapted to the particular interests, the chosen travel dates, the travel pace and the group's budget. APR lends authenticity to each MTAG itinerary in that its founders, Cary and Manny, have themselves traveled Morocco for cumulatively more than 55 days vetting the lodgings, restaurants, vehicles and personnel that - along with our most important asset of a top-rated guide team - have brought us TripAdvisor's prestigious Trusted Traveler awards in 2024 and again in 2025. Dine each night on world-renowned Morocco cuisine, ride camels through the dunes to luxurious starry Sahara Desert overnights, walk or hike villages and mountain foothills and rest in great hotels, villas and riyads. Our decades of international travel planning and execution regularly combine to ensure our great travelers a trip of a lifetime! 

Each trip features:

• Round-trip flights booked as a courtesy by MTAG at published prices

• Customized tailor-made itinerary adapted to suit travelers' interests

• Widely respected English-fluent veteran private guides

• Transport in Mercedes and comparable brand luxury air-conditioned vehicles

• Vetted lodging in high-end villas, riyads and hotels

• Meals, including dinners of Morocco's vaunted "world's best cuisine"

• Extraordinary experiences, off-the-beaten-track hidden gems

• Daily walking through villages, palm and olive groves, hiking in the desert and mountain foothills, spas & hammams

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