CANARIAS Gran Telescopio, built in Álava

2001/09/01 Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Astronomia

The Alava company Construcciones Metálicas URSSA has built the Gran Telescopio CANARIAS (GTC), and now all the pieces are being taken to Palma for installation in the viewpoint of Roque de los Muchachos. It can be used from 2003 and will be the largest and most advanced telescope ever built. With all its components, its weight is more than 500 tons and its height is 26 meters, that is, the height of a building of 7 floors.

For the design, manufacture, assembly and first tests of the telescope is created the Temporary Union of Companies (UTE). The Alavesa company has been responsible for the construction of the telescope and for providing the Madrid society of Engineering and Technology with non-structural components. The installation will be carried out by the company MONCAINSA of Gran Canaria.