Gran Telescopio Canarias
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.
Gran Telescopio Canarias, 2008 | |
| Alternative names | GranTeCan |
|---|---|
| Part of | Unique Scientific and Technical Infrastructures Roque de los Muchachos Observatory |
| Location(s) | La Palma, Garafía, La Palma, Spain |
| Coordinates | 28°45′24″N 17°53′31″W |
| Organization | Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias National Autonomous University of Mexico University of Florida |
| Observatory code | Z18 |
| Altitude | 2,267 m (7,438 ft) |
| Built | 2002–2008 |
| First light | 13 July 2007 |
| Telescope style | optical telescope Ritchey–Chrétien telescope segmented mirror |
| Diameter | 10.4 m (34 ft 1 in) |
| Collecting area | 78.54 m2 (845.4 sq ft) |
| Focal length | 169.9 m (557 ft 5 in) |
| Website | www |
Location of Gran Telescopio Canarias | |
| Related media on Commons | |
Construction of the telescope took seven years and cost €130 million. Its installation was hampered by weather conditions and the logistical difficulties of transporting equipment to such a remote location. First light was achieved in 2007 and scientific observations began in 2009.
The GTC Project is a partnership formed by several institutions from Spain and Mexico, the University of Florida, the National Autonomous University of Mexico, 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. The division of telescope time reflects the structure of its financing: 90% Spain, 5% Mexico and 5% the University of Florida.