Casual visits to the ING, in daytime or at night, are not
possible. However, group visits by schools, amateur astronomical
societies and similar parties with a particular interest in the Isaac Newton
Group of Telescopes can be organised. For further information
please contact the ING Public Relations Officer at the contact details given at the bottom.
Visiting the Roque de Los Muchachos Observatory (ORM)
The Roque de Los Muchachos Observatory runs a regular visit programme to some of the telescopes,
operation and weather permitting. For booking online and more information please check
Visits to ORM.
You can walk and drive around the Observatory site. The Roque de Los Muchachos peak
is the highest point of La Palma and from there the views of La Caldera
de Taburiente National Park and La Palma are fantastic.
In the past we used to organise Open Days in summer, but not any more.
Information for Visitors
There is some useful information on how to reach La Palma in Travel to La Palma web pages for ING Visiting Observers. ORM climatic information can be found in the environmental conditions web pages.
The access to the Observatory through Santa Cruz de La Palma is an asphalting mountain road 40 km long (or 20 km if you take the Northern access from Garafía).
The Observatory does not offer transportation for visitors. At both the airport and the harbour you can take a taxi or hire a car.
The drive from Santa Cruz de La Palma takes
approximately 1.5 hours. The reception of the Observatory residence (the "Residencia" in Spanish) is the usual meeting point and the start of the ING tours.
If you are driving alone please inform someone else of your plans and facilitate a mobile phone contact. Please drive carefully.
See maps and photos on How to Get to the Roque de Los Muchachos Observatory from Sea Level.
IMPORTANT: before leaving for the ORM, always check the
ING weather station current conditions at the observatory, and confirm with your guide, visit organiser or residence's receptionist (+34 922 405 500)
that it is safe to travel to the Roque de Los Muchachos Observatory. Please be aware that weather, road condition or even operational reasons could prevent you from visiting our telescopes and last-minute cancellations could happen. |
Please note:
- Weather may change rapidly, and in particular in winter. Please be aware of strong winds, slippery roads, and the risk of falling ice close to the buildings.
- The altitude of the observatory is 2400 meters which translates into in a mountain environment. For this reason,
people of weak health should not travel to the mountain. Low pressure can result in breathing difficulties. There is generally no professional medical assistance on the mountain.
- The intensity of the solar radiation is higher than at sea-level. Visitors must avoid continuous exposure to the sun and protect themselves with a solar-protector and a cap.
- As a guideline, a maximum of 20 visitors per guide is set. This number may be relaxed or decreased depending on the type of group, provided that effective control of the group can be guaranteed.
- Children older than 6 years-old are admitted if accompanied by an adult all the time during the visit. Note that children fending for themselves must be holded by hand.
- Please stay away from observatory's equipment and ongoing work, observe a respectful behaviour and don't distract any staff at work.
- Do not drink water from the faucets.
- All buildings are non-smoking.
- Please do not litter.
- You are welcome to bring a light snack or lunch. There are no facilities
on-site that offer meals.
- Please wear appropriate clothing
such as pants, walking shoes (no sandals), sunglasses, etc. We recommend a
light jacket/sweater for the domes even in summer.
- ING permits photographs and video taping during the tours.
- During your visit, please stay with the guide all the time.
Requests from the Media
We welcome the media. Note that any requests should be made to outreach
ing.iac.es at least 5 working days in advance of the visit.
Our Visitors
From time to time we are honoured to show around polititians, nobel prizes, astronauts... Find out who visited the ING.
The Isaac Newton Group of Telescopes has joined other institutions on site to bring astronomy outreach to the schools on La Palma island collaborating with Nuestros Alumnos y el Roque de Los Muchachos programme.
In the past we ran this interesting experience for schoolchildren and students visiting ING.
