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Photo: © Pablo Bonet, Instituto de
Astrofísica de Canarias (Spain)
An unobstructed view
On top of Roque de los Muchachos on the island of La Palma in the
Canary Islands, at a height of 2,400 metres, you feel slightly closer
to the universe. The Gran Telescopio Canarias (GTC) gives astrono-
mers insights into distant galaxies, black holes and exoplanets.
La Palma provides near perfect conditions for looking into the
depths of space: clear air, dark-blue skies and minimal altitude
wind thanks to the trade winds and high mountains. The high
altitude means that the air contains fewer dirt particles that could
impair the quality of the sensitive optics of the large telescope,
which has a reflector diameter of 10.4 metres. Scientists also
benefit from the band of cloud at around 500 metres above sea
level, which is another of the island’s natural phenomena. Its filter
effect reduces light pollution at night to a minimum, thus ensuring
an unobstructed view of the magnificent starlit sky and uncharted
space, whose secrets have yet to be discovered.
Festo Inc.
5300 Explorer Drive
Mississauga ON L4W 5G4
Tel: 1 877 GO FESTO
Fax: 1 877 FX FESTO
festo.canada@ca.festo.com www.festo.ca