21 Feb IAC – The Canary Islands Institute of Astrophysics
The Canary Islands Institute of Astrophysics (IAC) is an internationalized Spanish research center that boasts the distinction of having been named “Severo Ochoa Center of Excellence” by the Spanish Government.
Although the first telescope was installed in the Teide Observatory in 1964, the Canary Islands Institute of Astrophysics (IAC) was not created until 1975.
Today, 19 countries participate in the IAC. The Institute and its observatories on mount Teide in Tenerife (the highest point in Spain and the highest point above sea level in the islands of the Atlantic), and in Roque de los Muchachos, in La Palma, constitute the European Northern Observatory.
The IAC has the mission of facilitating astrophysical research, developing astronomical scientific instrumentation, training research staff, managing the Teide and Roque de los Muchachos observatories, and engaging in science outreach.
IAC Organization and Objectives
The IAC’s Instrumentation Area provides technical support and carries out research and instrumental development projects promoted in the center’s scientific plans.
Its general objectives are:
- To develop new astrophysics research instrumentation.
- To support maintenance and improve existing astronomical instrumentation at IAC.
- To train technical staff.
- To generate technology and transfer it to industry and other institutions.
- In order to achieve these objectives, the Area a highly specialized multi-disciplinary staff and has advanced development and manufacturing resources at its disposal.
The Area is organized in two divisions, Engineering and Production:
- Engineering is composed of five departments: Optics, Mechanics, Electronics, Software, and Project Management. Engineering manages the Electronic Design Laboratory, the Electromagnetic Compatibility Laboratory, the Optics Laboratory, the Fibre Optics Laboratory, the Optical Coatings Laboratory, the Mechanical Integration and Verification Laboratory, and the CAD Room.
- Production is composed of the Mechanics Workshop, the Electronics Workshop, and Technical Drawing. This division also manages the Dimensional Metrology Laboratory and the AIV Room.
The IAC is involved in technical development projects for earth and space telescopes, high-resolution, infrared, and optical and microwave instrumentation. It also provides technical support.