Randy Hoffmann
Giant in the Sky: The Gran Telescopio Canarias (GTC): see video link below
The massive Gran Telescopio Canarias dome and building on the island of La Palma (Canary Islands) from an architectural perspective. This telescope is part of a cluster of fifteen at the Observatorio Roque de los Muchachos (alt. 2400m).
An extensive GoPro video of the GTC I posted two years prior to this visit can be viewed at the following link: vimeo.com/album/2498182/video/73063516
A giant among telescopes, the Gran Telescopio CANARIAS (GTC) is currently the largest and one of the most advanced optical and infra-red telescopes in the world. It's primary mirror consists of 36 individual hexagonal segments that together act as a single mirror. The light collecting mirror surface area of GTC is equivalent to that of a telescope with a 10.4m diameter single monolithic mirror. More about the GTC: www.gtc.iac.es/gtc/gtc.php
I visited the island of La Palma (Canary Islands) to attend the "Astromaster" advanced landscape - astrophotography timelapse workshop. Please take the time to visit the links below:
astromaster.astrolapalma.com
twanight.org/newTWAN/about_us.as
Please note:
Visits to the observatory are limited, an application must be submitted online well in advance ... and approval / admission is not guaranteed into any facility (refer to iac.es/eno.php?op1=2&lang=en). It is a very long drive from sea level at Santa Cruz, with winding, hairpin switchbacks. The road can be treacherous, is generally in bad shape and falling rocks are all to common. No gas or water are available, oxygen level is approx. 15 - 25 % less and UV exposure is harsh.
Giant in the Sky: The Gran Telescopio Canarias (GTC): see video link below
The massive Gran Telescopio Canarias dome and building on the island of La Palma (Canary Islands) from an architectural perspective. This telescope is part of a cluster of fifteen at the Observatorio Roque de los Muchachos (alt. 2400m).
An extensive GoPro video of the GTC I posted two years prior to this visit can be viewed at the following link: vimeo.com/album/2498182/video/73063516
A giant among telescopes, the Gran Telescopio CANARIAS (GTC) is currently the largest and one of the most advanced optical and infra-red telescopes in the world. It's primary mirror consists of 36 individual hexagonal segments that together act as a single mirror. The light collecting mirror surface area of GTC is equivalent to that of a telescope with a 10.4m diameter single monolithic mirror. More about the GTC: www.gtc.iac.es/gtc/gtc.php
I visited the island of La Palma (Canary Islands) to attend the "Astromaster" advanced landscape - astrophotography timelapse workshop. Please take the time to visit the links below:
astromaster.astrolapalma.com
twanight.org/newTWAN/about_us.as
Please note:
Visits to the observatory are limited, an application must be submitted online well in advance ... and approval / admission is not guaranteed into any facility (refer to iac.es/eno.php?op1=2&lang=en). It is a very long drive from sea level at Santa Cruz, with winding, hairpin switchbacks. The road can be treacherous, is generally in bad shape and falling rocks are all to common. No gas or water are available, oxygen level is approx. 15 - 25 % less and UV exposure is harsh.