Canary Institute of Astrophysics (Spanish: I nstituto de A strofísica de C anarias - IAC ) is an astrophysical research institute located in the Canary Islands . It was founded in 1975 by the University of La Laguna .
There are 2 astronomical observatories in the Canary Islands:
- Roque de los Muchachos Observatory on the island of Palma
- Teide Observatory on the island of Tenerife .
Content
Composition of the Canary Institute of Astrophysics
Institute of Astrophysics
The Institute of Astrophysics, the administrative and scientific center of IAC, is located in the city of San Cristobal de la Laguna on the island of Tenerife .
Roque de los Muchachos Observatory
The Roque de los Muchachos Observatory is located in the municipality of Garafía on the island of Palma on the edge of Taburient . The observatory is located at an altitude of 2,400 meters and was founded in 1985 .
Teide Observatory
The Teide Observatory is located on the island of Tenerife at an altitude of 2,400 meters. It was founded in 1959 by the University of La Laguna and has become one of the most important international observatories with telescopes from countries from all over the world, due to the excellent local astroclimatic conditions. The Teide Observatory is considered one of the largest observatories in the world.
Together, both observatories with the Institute of Astrophysics form the Northern European Observatory .
History
The Teide Observatory , founded in 1959 , acquired the first telescope in 1964 , thanks to a collaboration with the University of Bordeaux. In 1975, the Canary Institute of Astrophysics appeared on the basis of the Institute of Astrophysics, part of the University of La Laguna. In 1979, Spain signed the 'Agreement and Protocol on Cooperation in Astrophysics' with Denmark , Sweden and the United Kingdom , which sent their telescopes to the observatory.
In 1982, IAC secured the support of the state, acting under the control of the Canary Islands Government, La Laguna University and the Higher Center for Scientific Research. The Roque de los Muchachos Observatory acquired the first installations and telescopes, gradually replenishing their number due to the cooperation of Germany , Finland , France and Norway . Later, other countries joined them. In 1985, official faculties appeared as part of the IAC.
In the early 1990s, the institute first developed and built in Spain the IAC-80 telescope. In 2000, an additional piece of land was acquired in Brenia Bach ( Palma ) for the future Centro Común de Astrofísica en la Palma (CALP) .
In 1994, Grantecan, SA was established to build the Canary Large Telescope with the support of the governments of the Canary Islands and Spain. Exercise of the telescope began in 1998 on Palm and officially opened the telescope on July 24, 2009 . [1] For 2009, the Grand Canary Telescope is the world's largest optical telescope. [2]
Some important discoveries of the Institute
- The first black hole in our galaxy has been discovered (1992).
- Relic radiation was studied (1994).
- Opened "Teide 1", the first brown dwarf in the Pleiades (1995).
- The discovery of the first black hole in close proximity to our galaxy (2001).
Canary Islands Sky
The Canary Islands are a great place for astronomical observations due to their climate and sky transparency. Due to the high altitude (2400 m above sea level), the observatories are located above the atmospheric layer, which is characterized by intensive cloud formation, which allows observing almost clear sky. In combination with two other factors - low atmospheric turbulence and the ability to conduct observations all year round - the Institute provides high quality work.
Law of Heaven
In order to maintain good conditions for observing observatories in the Canary Islands, the IAC Observation Act ( Ley para la Protección de la Calidad Astronómica de los Observatorios del IAC ) was adopted in 1988. The law in force on the islands of Palma and Tenerife defines and attempts to prevent four types of sky pollution: light pollution, radio-electric pollution, atmospheric pollution and air pollution near the observatory. To reduce these types of sky pollution, the law requires:
- Reduced lighting after midnight.
- Radio stations worked so as not to interfere with observatories.
- Industrial and similar enterprises should not be located above 1,500 meters above sea level.
- Regulate airlines over Tenerife and Palma.
Honorary President
In 2016, the English scientist Stephen Hawking was appointed professor emeritus of the Canary Islands Institute of Astrophysics, being the first distinction of this type provided by this center. [3] [4]
International cooperation
CCI Members
- Belgium
- Denmark
- France
- Germany
- Italy
- Norway
- Spain
- Sweden
- Great Britain
Other participating countries
- Armenia
- Finland
- Ireland
- Netherlands
- Poland
- Portugal
- Russia
- Taiwan
- Ukraine
- USA
Notes
- ↑ Heckle, Harold . Huge Telescope Opens in Spain's Canary Islands (July 24, 2009).
- ↑ Klotz, Irene . New telescope is the world's largest ... for now (July 24, 2009).
- ↑ Stephen Hawking, Profesor Honorario en Canarias
- ↑ Director del IAC recuerda a brillante científico ya un luchador por la vida