Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias

Visits

General public

ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT VISITS

Content of a visit: Visitors will be shown the interior of one or two telescopes and an explanation of their working will be given (which telescopes are chosen will depend on their availability and the ages of the visitors). The total visit will last 45-90 minutes. Nocturnal visits are not permitted.

Cost of visits: There is absolutely no charge for visits. However, the Observatory takes no responsibility for arranging transport for visitors to the site, or for providing meals during their stay.

Time of visits: All year round, telescope operation and weather conditions permitting.

Visiting days¹: Please, check our calendar. Visits take place between 10:00h and 13:00h.

Age of visitors ⁽²⁾: The minimum age for visitors to the ORM is 12 years. Guides may request to see identification documents (passport/DNI/Family Book) as proof of the age of minors before a visit takes place.

In any case, minors will not be admmitted unless unaccompanied by an adult.

Number of persons per visit: At least 15 persons and no more than 25.

Organized group visits: On the purpose of fitting the visit to your interests, educational centres,³ universities and professional groups, must indicate their requirements in the Notes section of the application form.

Health of visitors: The ORM is located 2400 metres above sea level. At this altitude, the oxygen content of the air is noticeably reduced. It is therefore recommended that persons with anaemia, babies, the aged and those with physical problems – especially those suffering from heart and respiratory problems – avoid making visits to the Observatory site. In case of doubt, please consult your doctor.

Liabilities: The ORM takes no responsibility for any deterioration in health related to altitude or resulting from non-observance of our recomendation and warnings (pdf).

ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT RESERVATIONS

When to make a reservation: Two weeks’ notice is usually sufficient although more than a month’s notice is recommended for visits between June and September.

Confirmation of your reservation: Your visit will be confirm once a group of at least 15 persons has been formed. Nevertheless, unforeseen circumstances might lead to your visit being cancelled up to a day before the assigned date (or even on the same day⁴). In any such case we would contact you as soon as possible to assign another day and time for your visit.

Cancellations: If you wish to cancel your visit, please let us know as soon as possible so that we may assign your place to another person on the waiting list.

How to make a reservation: complete the application for private and group visits available at Visits to the ORM.

Queries and cancellations: please contact us by telephone or email as indicated in Visits to the ORM.

(1)    Provided there are at least 15 persons.

(2)    For reasons of security, some telescopes do not admit minors; for this reason, only children over the age of twelve are allowed. Children below twelve should stay outside the telescopes accompanied by an adult.

(3)    In the case of school visits, there must be at least one supervisory adult for every 15 pupils.

(4)    Your visit may be unexpectedly cancelled by the ORM owing to the unforeseen operational needs of the telescopes or adverse meteorological conditions (snow, ice, rockfalls) affecting the safety and accessibility of roads leading to the Observatory.