Gran Telescopio Canarias

Gran Telescopio Canarias
Gran Telescopio Canarias, 2008
Alternative namesGranTeCan Edit this at Wikidata
Part ofUnique Scientific and Technical Infrastructures
Roque de los Muchachos Observatory Edit this on Wikidata
Location(s)La Palma, Atlantic Ocean, international waters
Coordinates28°45′24″N 17°53′31″W / 28.75661°N 17.89203°W / 28.75661; -17.89203 Edit this at Wikidata
OrganizationInstituto de Astrofísica de Canarias
National Autonomous University of Mexico
University of Florida Edit this on Wikidata
Observatory code Z18 Edit this on Wikidata
Altitude2,267 m (7,438 ft) Edit this at Wikidata
Built2002–2008 (2002–2008) Edit this at Wikidata
First light13 July 2007 Edit this on Wikidata
Telescope styleRitchey–Chrétien telescope Edit this on Wikidata
Diameter10.4 m (34 ft 1 in) Edit this at Wikidata
Collecting area78.54 m2 (845.4 sq ft) Edit this at Wikidata
Focal length169.9 m (557 ft 5 in) Edit this at Wikidata
Websitewww.gtc.iac.es Edit this at Wikidata
Gran Telescopio Canarias is located in La Palma
Gran Telescopio Canarias
Location of Gran Telescopio Canarias
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The Gran Telescopio Canarias (GranTeCan or GTC) is a 10.4 m (410 in) reflecting telescope located at the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory on the island of La Palma, in the Canary Islands, Spain. It is the world's largest single-aperture optical telescope.[1]

Construction of the telescope took seven years and cost €130 million.[2][3] Its installation was hampered by weather conditions and the logistical difficulties of transporting equipment to such a remote location.[4] First light was achieved in 2007 and scientific observations began in 2009.[citation needed]

The GTC Project is a partnership formed by several institutions from Spain and Mexico, the University of Florida, the National Autonomous University of Mexico,[5] and the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC). Planning for the construction of the telescope, which started in 1987, involved more than 1,000 people from 100 companies.[3] The division of telescope time reflects the structure of its financing: 90% Spain, 5% Mexico and 5% the University of Florida.

  1. ^ Klotz, Irene (2009-07-24). "New telescope is world's largest ... for now".
  2. ^ Alvarez, P. "The GTC Project. Present and Future" (PDF). pp. 1–8. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2009-08-16. Retrieved 2009-07-24.
  3. ^ a b Moreno, Carlos (2009-07-25). "Huge telescope opens in Spain's Canary Islands".[dead link]
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference Tests was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Sánchez y Sánchez, Beatriz (2009-10-10). "México en el Gran Telescopio Canarias" [Mexico in the Gran Telescopio Canarias]. Revista Digital Universitaria, UNAM (in Spanish).