After an intensive search for a site with year-round clear, dark skies, La Palma was chosen as the perfect place for this observatory, composed of international telescopes stretching over 2 square kilometres.
It is located at an altitude of 2400m, in an area belonging to Garafía, 40km away from Santa Cruz de la Palma.
The remoteness of the island and its lack of urban development have made La Palma one of the best places in the world for an astrophysics observatory as there is little artificial light pollution. This quality of the sky has been ensured by the so-called "Ley del Cielo"
The Roque de los Muchachos enjoys a stable atmosphere the whole year round thanks to its `position on a mountain-top.The sky is cloudless for at least 90% of the nights in summer.
In 1979 different countries signed agreements to set up this observatory, and it was officially inaugurated in 1985. It is controlled by the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias, which is also in charge of the Observatory in El Teide, Tenerife.
NEWS
For further information on latest discoveries, what's on at the Roque de los Muchachos Astrophysics Observatory see the oficial website of IAC (Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias) in web address http://www.iac.es.
VISITING THE ASTROPHYSICAL OBSERVATORY
Generally speaking, the Observatory is not open to visitors. However, people are allowed to visit the observatory on specific days in summer, the "Jornadas de Puertas Abiertas" (normally, one or two days in July and one or two days in August).
Schools, universities and astronomical institutions may visit the telescopes by appointment. Apply using the form on the web page http://www.iac.es
There is no restriction on visiting the Observatory grounds (except from 19:00 to 08:00). It's on the edge of the Caldera de Taburiente National Park, and it offers a superb view over it and other parts of the island. On clear days you can see the neighbouring islands of Tenerife, Gomera and El Hierro. Before going up to Roque de los Muchachos, please get some information on the road status and take care when driving. Despite the island's mild weather, at this altitude it can snow in winter.
Some of the pictures which are shown in this website belong to the Isaac Newton group and the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias.
