Teide Observatory
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| Organization | Observatorio Astronómico de Canarias |
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| Code | 954 |
| Coordinates | 28°18′00″N 16°30′35″W / 28.3°N 16.5097°WCoordinates: 28°18′00″N 16°30′35″W / 28.3°N 16.5097°W |
| Altitude | 2,390 m (7,840 ft) |
| Established | 1964 |
| Website | www |
| Telescopes | ESA Space Debris Telescope, Vacuum Tower Telescope, Very Small Array, COSMOSOMAS, QUIJOTE CMB Experiment, [*] |
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Teide Observatory (Spanish: Observatorio del Teide), IAU code 954, is an astronomical observatory on Mount Teide at 2,390 metres (7,840 ft), located on Tenerife, Spain. It is operated by the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias since its inauguration in 1964. It became one of the first major international observatories, attracting telescopes from different countries around the world because of the good astronomical seeing conditions. Later the emphasis for optical telescopes shifted more towards Roque de los Muchachos Observatory on La Palma.
The observatory has a visitors' centre and a residencia (hostel) for astronomers. Brian May helped construct a building there to study interplanetary dust.
The Minor Planet Center credits the discovery of several minor planets directly to the observatory.
The position where the observatory is situated has a mediterranean climate (Köppen Csb), with average temperature features reminiscent of southern England. This renders in warm summers that averages around 23 °C (73 °F) with light frosts being possible and sometimes happening in winter. Extremes are moderated by its marine features, which combined with the altitude keeps temperatures below 30 °C (86 °F) even during heat waves, and in spite of the altitude the marine features are strong enough to prevent severe frosts. Sunshine levels, as typical of the nearby lowland arid climates, are high throughout the year. Many alpine areas at further distance from the equator are above the tree line at this elevation, but Teide is far above even any subarctic temperatures due to its position on the 28th parallel north.
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