Nordic Optical Telescope observatory

The Nordic Optical Telescope observatory occupies the highest point of Roque de los Muchachos Observatory on La Palma in Spain's Canary Islands, one of the world's premier astronomical sites.

About Nordic Optical Telescope observatory

At its core is a 2.56-metre optical and infrared telescope, funded by Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland and, since 1997, Iceland. It is run by a consortium of national research councils from those countries together with the University of Iceland, and operated on-site by the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias.

History

The telescope achieved first light in 1988 and was formally inaugurated in September 1989, with regular science observations beginning in 1990. An active optics system, which continuously corrects the shape of the mirror for sharper images, was added in 1992.

Location & getting there

Roque de los Muchachos sits atop La Palma, whose high volcanic peaks and strict light-pollution controls make it one of the clearest, darkest night skies in Europe — the reason so many countries chose to build here.

Visiting Nordic Optical Telescope observatory

The telescope is a working research facility rather than a public visitor centre. Visits are generally arranged through organised tours of the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory complex, so check the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias website for current tour options before travelling.

See your named star from here

Star Register gives every named star precise right ascension and declination coordinates, the same kind of data professional telescopes like this one use to find their targets. Name a star at /#packages or look up an existing one in the catalogue.