126
Scientific Committee, and His Majesty the King, who declared Roque de los
Muchachos Observatory duly inaugurated.
The visitors, beginning with the royalty, heads of state, and principal
authorities, took the opportunity to tour all the telescopes. At the telescope of
the Swedish Academy of Sciences, the King of Sweden conferred on me the
medal of Commander of the Order of the Pole Star.
The ceremonies were a great success. The day ended with an open-air meal,
at which local Canarian fare was served, and the participants mingled and
talked among themselves. The VIPs retired to rest while the other participants
roamed about the Observatory.
For operational purposes, the royalty and heads of state were transported
by minibus within the Observatory. It fell to me to accompany them. They
were happy, excited, and talkative. They moved from one window to another
like children on an excursion. I find that nobody has forgotten those days, for
over the years I have chanced to meet quite a number of the participants—
some heads of state, others scientists—and without exception they tell me
that those days they spent in the Canaries were unforgettable.
The final event took place in Santa Cruz de La Palma, in the Convent of
San Francisco, where a recital was given by the soprano Victoria de los Ángeles.
Fig. 13.4 Close-up of the ‘family photo’. (Credit: IAC)
F. Sánchez
Scientific Committee, and His Majesty the King, who declared Roque de los
Muchachos Observatory duly inaugurated.
The visitors, beginning with the royalty, heads of state, and principal
authorities, took the opportunity to tour all the telescopes. At the telescope of
the Swedish Academy of Sciences, the King of Sweden conferred on me the
medal of Commander of the Order of the Pole Star.
The ceremonies were a great success. The day ended with an open-air meal,
at which local Canarian fare was served, and the participants mingled and
talked among themselves. The VIPs retired to rest while the other participants
roamed about the Observatory.
For operational purposes, the royalty and heads of state were transported
by minibus within the Observatory. It fell to me to accompany them. They
were happy, excited, and talkative. They moved from one window to another
like children on an excursion. I find that nobody has forgotten those days, for
over the years I have chanced to meet quite a number of the participants—
some heads of state, others scientists—and without exception they tell me
that those days they spent in the Canaries were unforgettable.
The final event took place in Santa Cruz de La Palma, in the Convent of
San Francisco, where a recital was given by the soprano Victoria de los Ángeles.
Fig. 13.4 Close-up of the ‘family photo’. (Credit: IAC)
F. Sánchez