The Isaac Newton Telescope


The Isaac Newton Telescope is not the largest telescope in the world, but it does have an important role to play. It specialises in taking pictures of large areas of the night sky using a special wide field camera. In this way astronomers can study changes that take place over time in various parts of the sky.

 

Isaac Newton Telescope

Isaac Newton Telescope

© ING

     Some facts about the telescope:

  • Observatory location: La Palma, Canary Isles

  • Height above sea level: 2,336 metres (7,665 feet)

  • Moving weight: 90 metric tonnes

  • Mirror diameter: 2.54 metres
Can you see the clouds below the observatory?

Astronomers want clear skies at night and placing telescopes high on the mountain top in La Palma is one way to get nearly 300 nights a year free of cloud.

Isaac Newton Telescope Dome

Isaac Newton Telescope Dome

© ING

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