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Tuorla Observatory is participating in an international project, which is pioneering studies of active galaxies by observing them truly simultaneously in the gamma ray and optical regions. MAGIC is an atmospheric imaging Cherenkov telescope designed to detect cosmic gamma-rayss (photons with energies in the 30 GeV to 1 TeV range). The 17-metre telescope is located on La Palma, Canary Islands, Spain, and is run by the MAGIC-collaboration, which includes 18 (mostly European) institutes. The inauguration was held on La Palma on 10th October 2003 with Aimo Sillanpää representing Tuorla Observatory at the celebration. First light was obtained in June 2003, and the telescope has been operational since Jan 2004. Tuorla Observatory is making use of the 60 cm telescope on La Palma in connection with MAGIC observations, resulting in truly simultaneous optical and gamma ray observations. Observing simultaneously the emitted light in these widely separated wavelength regions allows considerable new insight into the physical processes in these objects. We have been successfully been using the 60 cm telescope remotely from Tuorla since the autumn of 2003, with the dome, instruments and telescope all being operated via the Internet. Infra-red cameras in the building allow the status of the telescope to be monitored, and weather cameras on the mountain help us keep track of observing conditions.
Recent data from the
telescope are available here Further information can be obtained from Dr. Aimo Sillanpää or Dr. Leo Takalo. |
The MAGIC telescope at La Palma, which obtained "first-light" in late
2003. Tuorla is a full-member of the project, and will be providing
simultaneous optical data with the Royal Swedish Academy's 60 cm telescope
sited nearby. 
The Royal Swedish Academy's 60 cm telescope at La Palma in the Canary Islands, Spain. The telescope has recently been upgraded to allow fully remote observing from Tuorla Observatory, in Turku Finland. |
