Coinciding with the summer solstice, the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC) has organized on Saturday and Sunday June 22nd and 23rd the Open Days of the Teide Observatory (at Izaña), in which visitors will be able to see the various telescopes, understand how they work, and make direct observations of the Sun.

This activity, organized jointly by the Teide Observatoryh and the Unit of Communication and Scientific Culture (UC3), is a part of the outreach activities carried out by the Institute so that the general public can get to know at first hand one of the best observatories in the world, its innovative infrastructure, the outstanding work of its staff, and the important astrophysical research which is performed there.

The visits last for three hours,and they are organized in two shifts per day, at 10:00 to 13:00 h. and from 16:00 to 19:00 h. The activity will include a route with nine outreach stops with the presence of research and technical staff from the IAC. The route inside the Observatory will be done on foot, mostly along paths, and the explanations will be given in Spanish.

Because of the limits to the number of people we can accommodate, and limits to parking space, the number of people per shift can be no more than 225, which means a total of 900 people. The only visitors admitted will be those who arrive at the observatory in cars, or the equivalent, with a minimum of 4 occupants, or in smaller vehicles such as motorbikes and bicycles.

Those interested in participating in this experience should fill in the attached on-line form, and the places will be granted in order of the inscription among those requests which satisfy the criteria for access. The register will be open until Monday 17th June

Access to the observatory car park will be allowed from 09:00 for the morning session,and from 15:00 for the afternoon session. It is advisable to be at the observatory around half an hour before the start of an activity.

We remind you of certain rule

1.The person responsible for a group should carry identification, either an identity card (or equivalent).

2. Only those older than 8 years old may enter. Any minor must be accompanied by an adult.

3. Persons with reduced mobility or specific conditions will be attended in the appropriate way.

4. VERY IMPORTANT. Groups whose number of participants do not coincide with the number shown on the form will not be admitted. Groups where the numbers do not coincide will be denied access to the Observatory.

5. No animals are allowed access to the Observatory

6. Visitors should follow the paths and enteronly those installations indicated by their guides, staying with their group at all times.

7. It is prohibited to smoke in the Observatory, or to make any kind of fire.

8. The Teide Observatorhy is a protected air-space, so flying drones is prohibited.

Precautions

Before going up to the Teide Observatory it is convenient to consult the meteorological conditions. Pay attention to the web page of the IAC, and/or to your email, in case there are last minute notices.

Remember that the observatory is at 2,400 metres above sea level, so that you will find a high mountain climate. We recommend that you take, at least, a jacket, a hat, solar protection, comfotable fottwear (closed and wihout high heles) and water.

These Open Days are not the only way to get to know the Observatories. During the year there are other kinds of visits which can be requested via the visits page on the IAC website.