SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, 22nd June (EUROPA PRESS) –
An impressive number of individuals flocked to the Teide Observatory over the weekend to partake in the traditional open events hosted by the Institute of Astrophysics of the Canary Islands (IAC) during the summer solstice week.
This initiative, co-organized by the Teide Observatory and the Unit for Scientific Communication and Culture (UC3) of the IAC, forms part of the Institute’s outreach efforts to provide the public with a firsthand understanding of one of the world’s top observatories, its facilities, the tasks of its personnel, and the astrophysical research conducted on site.
Visitors had the opportunity to engage with various telescopes and professional equipment, as well as attend presentations by the institution’s scientific team, who delved into the diverse research fields pursued at the IAC, ranging from solar studies and helioseismology to microwave radiation providing insights on the cosmos within the Quixote project. The informative talks were complemented by activities such as real-time solar observations.
These sessions generated significant interest among attendees, with over 4,000 applications received in under 24 hours. However, due to space restrictions at the observatory and parking limitations, only 900 spots could be accommodated.
David Nespral, the administrator of the Teide Observatory, highlighted the institution’s awareness of its importance within Canarian society and the support it garners, hence offering this proximity experience to visitors. While acknowledging the inability to accommodate all requests due to spatial constraints, he mentioned that free visits for students are available throughout the year, alongside other public access options.
Astrophysicist and communicator at the UC3, Alfred Rosenberg, emphasised the aim of fostering connections between the astronomical and astrophysical research realms with the public during these events. This is to underscore the significance of preserving the quality of our skies and enlightening individuals on how the Observatory is unravelling profound mysteries of humanity, such as extraterrestrial life, the universe’s origins, the sun’s mechanisms, and the impacts of space debris.
The visits were segmented into four groups across the two days, each lasting three hours and encompassing nine informative stations attended by IAC research and technical experts. The IAC stresses that such talks are not the sole method to explore the observatory. Different types of visits are available year-round and can be requested via the Visits section on the IAC’s website.
