How the ING is run
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How the ING is run


THE SITE OF the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory is operated by the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC), as is the Teide Observatory on Tenerife. The operation of the site is overseen by an international scientific committee.

The construction, operation and development of the ING telescopes is the result of a collaboration between the UK, The Netherlands, and Spain. The site is provided by Spain, and in return Spanish astronomers receive 20 per cent of the observing time on the telescopes. A further 75 per cent of observing time is shared by the UK, The Netherlands and IAC (Spain). The allocation of telescope time is determined by scientific merit. The remaining 5 per cent is reserved for large scientific projects to promote international collaborations.

Many of the state-of-the-art telescope and instrument components are custom-built. New instruments are designed and built by technology groups in the UK and the Netherlands, with which the ING maintains close links. Of particular importance is the historical link with the Royal Greenwich Observatory, now closed down, originally responsible for the creation of the ING.

The Observatory excites a lot of local interest, and the ING values its strong links with the community on La Palma.

Visitors at WHT prime focus Visitors at ING


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Contact:  (Public Relations Officer)
Last modified: 01 December 2023