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| Radio Telescope (not in use) San Cristóbal de La Laguna Credit: Astronomy Club Toutatis |
Today we introduce the reason for all the astronomical activities in the Canary Islands: The Instituto de Astrofisica de Canarias (IAC) or Institute of Astrophysics of the Canary Islands.
There are
very few places in the world that can boast all of the conditions needed for
modern astronomy. The mountain summits of Tenerife and La Palma in the Canary
Islands enjoy these exceptional conditions and this has converted them into a
“magnet” for some of today’s most advanced telescopes. Spain set up the IAC to
make the most of the scientific and technological opportunities offered by this
outstanding access to the sky over the islands, which constitutes in its self a
valuable natural resource.
The Spanish
authorities have also protected the astronomical qualities of the sky by
imposing restrictions by means of the “sky law” that regulates, among other
things, the use of outdoor lighting. As a result the IAC observatories are
considered to be an astronomy reserve.
UNESCO, as
part of its Starlight initiative is currently working to recognize and catalog
exceptional sights, like the Teide and Roques de los Muchachos Observatories,
as “world class astronomy reserve”.
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| Los Roques, National parc Teide, Tenerife, Canary islands Credit: Astronomy Club Toutatis (Click on picture to enlarge) |
The aim of
the project is to emphasize the importance of preserving the qualities of clear
dark skies at night and our universal right to observe the stars.
Astrophysics
is one of the most fruitful branches of knowledge, not just because it provides
a window on the Universe and a source of understanding about the laws of
nature, but because the questions posed by astrophysics have on going relevance
for Physics and other branches of science.
Moreover,
the demands made by astronomical observation continually drive forward the
development of advanced technology in the form of scientific instruments.
Astronomy
is also a powerful, yet subtly attractive, cultural instrument, because it’s
speaks to our innate desire to gaze at the sky and to try to understand where
we come from and what is our place in the Universe.
Knowledge
of the Universe
The overall
objective of the IAC’s activities is that of contributing to improving our
understanding of the Universe. The research program covers a wide range of
topics: The structure of the Universe and cosmology, the structure and
evolution of Galaxies and Stars, the Sun, interstellar matter, the Solar system,
the history of astronomy, atmospheric optics and high spatial resolution,
optical and infrared instruments, astrophysics from space and telescope design
and construction.
Technological
development
The IAC is
also an advanced technology center. Although its main purpose is to produce
instruments for astronomy, the institute also develops technology for general
use that has applications for other fields of science and technology by
championing and working with high value added industries.
Researcher
and technician training
The IAC has
always placed emphasis on training for science and technology personnel, seeing
this as fundamental for the development of astrophysics in Spain. A permanent
post-graduate school therefore receives young graduates and engineers from all
over the world, who are employed on temporary work contracts as “resident
astrophysicists”. They are incorporated into research groups so that they can
further their training and complete a doctoral thesis.
The human
resources and support team
All of the
IAC’s activities, and those of its International Observatories, are made
possible by their administrative and operational staffs, which are managed by
the director’s office and the general administration. This team insures that
the complex network that is the Instituto de Astrofisica, the centro de
astrofisica de La Palma, The Teide and Roques de los Muchachos observatories
all work together efficiently.
Cultural
education
Science is an important component of Culture.
The IAC is an important resource for fostering public awareness about science
and culture. This is a core activity for the organization and one to which it
has an ongoing commitment. The IAC has achieved notable success with its press
releases, publications and other awareness raising campaigns for the general
public, some examples of which are:- Information and consultancy about science for the mass media
- Organized visits to the observatories and open doors events
- Astronomy image bank
- Press releases and information campaigns on the GTC (Gran Telescopio Canarias).
The Northern European Observatory
In 1979 the
IAC Observatories were opened up to international participation with the
signing of the “Agreement on Co-operation in Astrophysics”. Today, thanks to
this Framework Agreement over 60 scientific bodies from Armenia, Belgium,
Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Iceland, Italy, Mexico,
Norway, Poland, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, the Ukraine, The UK and the USA
have telescopes and specialized instruments for Astrophysics research installed
at the Observatories. Each of the components of IAC, Instituto de Astrofisica,
the centro de astrofisica de La Palma, The Teide and Roques de los Muchachos
observatories, are individual Spanish research and technology centers in their
own right. Together, however, they form a major resource of great international
importance: The Northern European Observatory.
Institutions
from numerous countries have access to the facilities of the IAC observatories
through an International Scientific Committee, the main contribution that they
make for using the “Canarian Sky” for astronomy is 20 % of observing time (plus
5% for programs of international collaboration) on each of their telescopes
sited at the observatories. This is a significant amount of time, which is
distributed to Spanish astronomers by a Time Allocation Committee (CAT) on the
basis of the scientific merit of their applications.
READ NEXT POST HERE on our trip through Canarian Astronomy on the island of Tenerife, Canary Islands.
Institute of Astrophysics of Canary Islands (IAC) website
WIKI: Institute of Astrophysics of Canary Islands (IAC)
The Northern European Observatory (IAC) website
Roques de los Muchachos Observatory (La Palma)
Teide Observatory (Tenerife)
About Astronomy Club Toutatis
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