ELT site testing - Roque de los Muchachos / La Palma, Spain

The ELT programme office has studied half a dozen potential sites for the future ELT observatory. Various aspects need to be considered in the site selection process. Parameters taken into account are not restricted to 'sky quality', but include more general scientific aspects, as well as parameters essential for construction and operations (e.g. accessibility, water and power supply, political stability, etc). The above picture shows an impression of Roque de los Muchachos, a site located in La Palma, Spain. Roque de los Muchachos was on the ELT Site Selection Advisory Committee's final short list for the recommended site.