Observatory Izaña - Tenerife

Meaning of the observatory Izaña:
The astrophysical observatory of Izana in the national park El Teide is one of the remote stations of the European mainland. Based on traditions of the astrology of Austin friars around 1701, the observatory was opened in 1985 on Tenerife. It is located in a height of 2,393 metres of the mountain Izana. Due to pure air, low formation of dust in the atmosphere as well as severe solar radiation, ideal conditions for exploring the starlit sky prevail. Legal agreements, e. g. concerning the prevention of atmospherical contamination, will play a part in contributing to secure these conditions in future. This is why extraordinary recordings of the universe are possible in the observatory Izaña on Tenerife.

Tasks of the observatory

The observatory in the Parque Nacional del Teide is one of the most important institutions of its kind in the world. It developed from a joint venture of several European countries. Cooperating teams of scentists are engaged in an internationally focused research of the universe. Besides this, the observatory Izaña provides its visitors information on the telescopes under the vacuum dome and their possibilities to research the cosmos. When visiting this research institute, not only the deep in the universe hidden young, blue stars and dying red gas giants are fascinating, but also a view on the nocturnal, sparkling starlit sky. Because Tenerife´s Milky Way is blazing so bright, you will understand why the natives of the island called it "Spine of the night".

Equipment of the observatory in the Parque National del Teide

The observatory Izaña on the side of the Teide massif is equipped with outstanding research gadgets. This is where several solar telescopes are. They are considered to be some of the best on the European continent. With the help of mirrors with a diameter of up to 1 metre, the giant telescope provides a view in incredibly far-from-earth galaxies. The Newton Vacuum Telescope serves the photography of the sun through a filter. With the Gregory Coudé Telescope the physical condition of the solar atmosphere as well as the magnetic fields inside the solar spots are analysed via spectrograph. The Vacuum Turm Telescope contributes to exploring the solar atmosphere. The radio telescopes of the observatory examine the cosmic background radition. These insights into the universe are unimaginable with the naked eye. Furthermore there is a solar laboratory in the observatory in the national park El Teide. The pyramidal institute is equipped with devices for monitoring seismic waves of the sun.

Observatorio del Teide Izaña
Phone: 0034.922.329.110 Fax: 0034.922.329.117
Mail: teide@ot.iac.es
Website: http://www.iac.es

Visits of the Institute for Astrophysics:
Visits of the headquarter of the IAC have to be brought into agreeent with the administration of the IAC:

Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias C/ Vía Láctea, s/n 38200 - La Laguna (Tenerife)
Phone: 0034.922.605.200 / 207
Mail: aqg@ll.iac.es
Website: www.iac.es/