William Herschel Telescope, Reflecting telescope at Roque de los Muchachos Observatory, La Palma, Spain
The William Herschel Telescope features a 4.2-meter primary mirror and operates at an elevation of 2,344 meters above sea level on La Palma island.
The telescope, completed in 1987, represented the third largest single optical telescope worldwide during its inauguration, following extensive planning since the late 1960s.
The facility maintains partnerships between research councils from the United Kingdom, Netherlands, and Spain, fostering international scientific collaboration in astronomical research.
Scientists access the telescope through scheduled observation periods, utilizing specialized instruments for photometry and spectrometry to examine stars and distant galaxies.
The telescope contains instruments that contributed to discovering the first evidence of a supermassive black hole at the Milky Way's center.
Location: Santa Cruz de Tenerife Province
Inception: 1987
Elevation above the sea: 2,344 m
Diameter: 4.2 m
Part of: Roque de los Muchachos Observatory
Website: https://ing.iac.es//Astronomy/telescopes/wht
GPS coordinates: 28.76066,-17.88174
Latest update: March 10, 2025 11:20
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