Calar Alto Observatory Andalucia

The six, huge, white domes of Calar Alto Observatory poised amongst Almeria’s bucolic landscape, are a spectacular example of man’s creativity in harmony with nature. These revolutionary objects are essential entities in the field of astronomy and look like they belong on a science fiction set. In fact when you are up close you half expect Dr Who’s tardis to emerge amongst the jagged rock formations and clusters of fir trees.

The Calar Alto Observatory is positioned on the zenith of the Calar Alto Mountain at an altitude of 2168 meters in the Sierra de los Filabres, in the Almeria province of Andalucia. Although the drive to reach the Observatory is not for the faint-hearted, as the narrow road zigzags around a myriad of hairpin bends precariously poised upon the mountain’s edge.

Arriving near the summit one by one the domes emerge through the forest, framed by panoramic views of the Almeria and Granada provinces; a colony of science amongst a backdrop of nature. Being in this silent spot in the dark is the best time to appreciate why Calar Alto was chosen as the location for the Observatory, as the light from the moon and the stars lights up the road in front with such radiance and vivacity without being interfered by the intrusion of any other light.

This German-Spanish Astronomical Centre is jointly operated by Max Planck Institute for Astronomy (MPIA) in Heidelberg, Germany, and the Instituto de Astrofisica de Andalucia (CSIC) in Granada. The site was proposed in the 1970s and was officially inaugurated in 1979 by King Juan Carlos I of Spain. This was the first time an observatory was available to German astronomers and their Spanish colleagues that enabled them to catch up with the international astronomical standards after World Wars I and II. Since Calar Alto’s opening, four telescopes of different sizes as well as high-tech spectrographs and cameras are working there at the very frontiers of research.

To experience the cosmic enormity of the Calar Alto Observatory, the centre is open to visitors, who can stay in there at the hotel. Although just driving to the saddle of Los Sierras de los Filabres to take a closer look at these scientific marvels, which continue to be instrumental to a worldwide community of astronomers, is an experience in itself.

To find out more about the Calor Alto Observatory visit the official webiste: www.caho.es