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> La Palma Observatory: The FACT telescope

La Palma Observatory: The FACT telescope

author: Alex Tudorica/Novapix

reference: o-lpa04-10010

Image Size 300 DPI: 43 * 29 cm

The First G-APD Cherenkov Telescope (FACT) is the first imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescope using Geiger-mode avalanche photodiods (G-APDs) as photo sensors. The rather small, low-cost telescope will not only serve as a test bench for this technology in Cherenkov astronomy, but also monitor bright active galactic nuclei (AGN) in the TeV energy range. Image taken at Observatorio del Roque de Los Muchachos, Canary Islands, Spain. One of the MAGIC (Major Atmospheric Gamma-ray Imaging Cherenkov Telescopes) is visible in the background. The Canary Islands are volcanic in origin and the whole observatory lies on the edge of the Taburiente volcano.

Keywords for this photo:

2012 - ASTRONOMY - CANARY ISLANDS - CERENKOV - CHERENKOV - FACT - GAMMA - GAMMA RAY - LA PALMA - MAGIC - NIGHT - OBSERVATORY - ROQUE DE LOS MUCHACHOS - SPAIN - STAR - STARRY SKY - TELESCOPE -