95
of help in training scientific and technical staff, or so much observing time for
itself. We had a struggle to counter this move, above all—strange as it may
seem—with the authorities of our own Ministry, which seemed to have its
head in the clouds. We managed to contain the protests of Denmark, Norway,
and Sweden (Finland, part-owner of the Nordic Telescope, had not joined
them). The Nordic countries did not after all leave, as might have been formally expected after they had lodged their protests.
Taking a broad view of what has been achieved, the advantages that have
accrued for science and technology in general (and not only for Spain) are
evident. Powerful telescopes from international consortia continue to arrive at
the Canarian Observatories and will continue to do so while ground-based
observations of the Universe continue to be carried out.
But we cannot rest on our laurels. New observing instruments that improve
the performance of their predecessors continue to evolve and there is a permanent fight to choose the best sites for their emplacement. For that reason, the
IAC maintains a very active team dedicated to measuring the parameters that
characterize the astronomical quality of the atmosphere above high mountain
sites. This strategy continues to bear excellent fruit. The astronomical promotion of the Canarian skies is a continuing hard-fought crusade.
10 A Multinational Astrophysics Treaty (1960–2014)
of help in training scientific and technical staff, or so much observing time for
itself. We had a struggle to counter this move, above all—strange as it may
seem—with the authorities of our own Ministry, which seemed to have its
head in the clouds. We managed to contain the protests of Denmark, Norway,
and Sweden (Finland, part-owner of the Nordic Telescope, had not joined
them). The Nordic countries did not after all leave, as might have been formally expected after they had lodged their protests.
Taking a broad view of what has been achieved, the advantages that have
accrued for science and technology in general (and not only for Spain) are
evident. Powerful telescopes from international consortia continue to arrive at
the Canarian Observatories and will continue to do so while ground-based
observations of the Universe continue to be carried out.
But we cannot rest on our laurels. New observing instruments that improve
the performance of their predecessors continue to evolve and there is a permanent fight to choose the best sites for their emplacement. For that reason, the
IAC maintains a very active team dedicated to measuring the parameters that
characterize the astronomical quality of the atmosphere above high mountain
sites. This strategy continues to bear excellent fruit. The astronomical promotion of the Canarian skies is a continuing hard-fought crusade.
10 A Multinational Astrophysics Treaty (1960–2014)