One of the most common demands of our guests is information about activities around Hard Rock Hotel Tenerife. There is a wide range of possibilities, and the repertoire of excursions is remarkable. But the essential tour on the island of Tenerife is the visit to the Teide observatory.
In this post, we will tell you how to organize a tour of the astronomical observatory of Teide, and we will offer tips to enjoy it.
THE HIGHEST MOUNTAIN IN SPAIN IS IN TENERIFE
The island of Tenerife offers beautiful coastline and superb water activities. But everyone who has visited it will have been able to prove that Tenerife is much more than the ocean and pleasant temperatures. The interior routes of the island are fascinating, as well as its picturesque villages and its cultural attractions. Of course, the Teide stands out, with 3,768 meters of altitude, the highest mountain in Spain.
SCIENTIFIC OBSERVATORY ON TEIDE
The Canary Islands have several fundamental factors for the quality of astronomical observation, such as their weather, altitude and the absence of pollution in their skies. This means a bright atmosphere and many hours available for exploration, which led to protection by law since 1988. The Canary Islands are, together with Chile and Hawaii, the best region in the world to observe the space.
Since its opening in 1964, the Teide Observatory houses numerous telescopes from several countries, specially equipped to observe the sun. There are currently three solar telescopes and thirteen nocturne telescopes, owned by Spain, the US, Russia, Germany, Belgium and the European Space Agency.
The largest solar telescope in Europe, called GREGOR, operates on Teide. Its 1.5 m diameter mirror positions it as one of the largest in the world.
During the last forty years, the scientific community has here one of its most notable bases in terms of stellar observation. Since 1975, the Institute of Astrophysics of the Canary Islands assumed the leadership.
The Canary Islands add the Roque de Los Muchachos Observatory (La Palma), created in 1985. Both scientific facilities make up the European Northern Observatory, the most important in Europe.
The Institute of Astrophysics of the Canary Islands reported the first black hole in our galaxy or the first brown dwarf star, therefore called Teide 1.
GUIDED VISITS TO THE SOLAR OBSERVATORY OF TENERIFE
For visiting the astronomical observatory, you must reserve in advance, through the website of the accredited tour company, Volcano Teide, with a starting price of 21 euros for a visit.
The guided tour lasts approximately one hour and a half. Keep in mind that you must present yourself at the barrier of access to the observatory half an hour before the start of the guided tour.
The guides of this scientific installation offer a fascinating tour, with numerous data accredited by the academics who investigate there. Besides, they solve the doubts of tourists with ease. The available languages are Spanish, English and German.
The excursion is delightful. Some milestones are the astrophysics workshop at the Visitor Center; or testing a solar telescope with which spots and eruptions can be distinguished on the surface of the king star. Of course, this is not the huge solar telescope, but a small professional telescope.
HOW TO GET TO THE TEIDE OBSERVATORY FROM SOUTH TENERIFE
The astronomical observatory of Teide is located in the National Park, so the visit takes double interest, combining a scientific-cultural excursion and a tour of a fabulous natural environment.
Located at 2,390 m altitude, the observatory occupies 50 hectares of the Teide National Park.
TIPS FOR THE VISIT OF THE OBSERVATORY
Do not forget to wear sunglasses, a hat or cap, and sunscreen. We also recommend to bring a jacket; you will be at more than two thousand meters of altitude, so probably you need warm clothes.
It is not a very physical excursion, but it could be difficult for people with reduced mobility.
Finally, keep in mind that the area does not have an excellent telephone signal. You should download the reservation of the visit or print it in advance since you will have to show it to access the tour.
