Tenerife Experiment

The Tenerife Experiment is a radio telescope installation at Teide Observatory equipped with two observation horns designed to measure cosmic microwave background radiation. The facility used specialized cryogenic technology to maintain the temperatures required for precise measurements.

The experiment was conducted starting in 1984 as a collaboration between Manchester University and the Instituto de Astrofisica de Canarias, investigating temperature variations in cosmic radiation. Observations continued until 2000 and contributed to understanding the cosmic microwave background.

The observatory attracted researchers from multiple nations who worked together analyzing cosmic microwave background data. This international collaboration shaped the scientific work conducted at this location over many years.

The installation sits at high altitude on Mount Teide where thin atmosphere provides ideal conditions for microwave measurements. Visitors should know that elevation and the specialized equipment may limit access to the site.

The two observation horns were positioned 8 degrees apart, a configuration that allowed detection of very large-scale structures in cosmic radiation. This special setup enabled measurements of temperature variations at angular sizes roughly equal to half of a well-known constellation.

Part of: Teide Observatory

Website: http://iac.es/proyecto/cmb/pages/en/former-cmb-experiments/the-tenerife-experiment.php

GPS coordinates: 28.30035,-16.51051

Latest update: December 14, 2025 12:20