Mercator Telescope, Optical telescope at Roque de los Muchachos Observatory, La Palma, Spain.
The Mercator Telescope features a 1.2-meter diameter mirror and operates with two instruments: HERMES for spectroscopy and MAIA for rapid variability studies.
The Institute of Astronomy at the University of Leuven established this telescope in 2002, naming it after the Flemish cartographer Gerardus Mercator.
The telescope contributes to international research by providing data that complements observations from larger ground-based facilities and space satellites.
Located at coordinates 28.76 degrees North and 17.88 degrees West, the semi-robotic telescope conducts observations during night hours throughout the year.
Scientists use this telescope for asteroseismic studies, examining stellar interiors through observations of star vibrations similar to geological seismic investigations.
Location: La Palma
Inception: 2000
Diameter: 1.2 m
Part of: Roque de los Muchachos Observatory
GPS coordinates: 28.76194,-17.87750
Latest update: March 2, 2025 23:52
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