Swedish Solar Telescope, Solar telescope at Roque de los Muchachos Observatory, La Palma, Spain
The Swedish Solar Telescope is a solar telescope at the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory on La Palma, Spain, with a lens just under 1 meter (about 3 feet) across. It is a refracting instrument built specifically to observe the surface of the sun in fine detail.
The telescope was built to replace the older Swedish Vacuum Solar Telescope and began operating in the early 2000s. This step forward opened new possibilities for solar physics research at the observatory.
The facility serves as a hub for European collaboration in solar research, where scientists from different nations work together on understanding the sun. Visitors can sense the international importance of this location as a meeting place for solar astronomers.
The telescope sits at over 6,500 feet (2,000 meters) on the Roque de los Muchachos, so visitors should bring warm clothing and sun protection even on clear days. Getting there requires a vehicle, and the mountain road can be challenging in poor weather.
Unlike its predecessor, which used a vacuum inside to reduce air disturbance, this telescope works in open air and relies on a different optical correction system instead. That shift in design was part of what made it possible to build a much larger lens.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
