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CTAO-North telescope inauguration in La Palma

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2026-10-16 07:28 UTC → 2026-10-16 09:41 UTC · added ~~removed~~

The Roque de los Muchachos Observatory in La Palma has transitioned to operational status with the inauguration of the Cherenkov Telescope Array Observatory (CTAO-North). This facility, which features a Large-Sized Telescope (LST) subarray consisting of four telescopes, is designed to detect high-energy gamma radiation from cosmic phenomena such as black holes, neutron stars, and dark matter. The completion of the subarray follows over 15 years of international cooperation. The North site specializes in lower-energy gamma rays from distant cosmic events, complementing the CTAO-South site in Chile. The project involves significant participation from Spanish research institutions. During the official inauguration ceremony, attended by approximately 250 scientists and representatives, the four LST instruments were formally introduced. Each telescope is equipped with a 23-meter diameter mirror and ultra-fast cameras to detect Cherenkov light—brief flashes produced when high-energy gamma rays interact with Earth's atmosphere. This subsystem is engineered to observe gamma rays with energies ranging from approximately 20 GeV to several TeV. Masahiro Teshima of the Max Planck Institute for Physics noted that the completion of the LST subarray represents the culmination of more than 15 years of international collaboration. Recent details highlight the diverse international contributions to the project. Beyond Spanish involvement, the Max Planck Institute for Physics, the Italian National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN), and the National Institute for Astrophysics (INAF) are notable contributors. Additionally, Czech researchers from Palacký University Olomouc and the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic played significant roles, specifically in the development and installation of the optical systems.

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