Case Studies
Science done here,
from La Palma.
Our clients have been operating continuously for over a year from our facility. These are representative examples of the work being done — names withheld or anonymised at client request.
Global satellite tracking network
A commercial SSA operator needed a southern-European node with reliable photometric and astrometric throughput for LEO and MEO object characterisation. They required sub-arcsecond plate solutions and automated pipeline delivery to their central catalogue.
Spectral classification of transient events
A professional-level observer uses a high-resolution spectrograph at our facility to capture spectra of supernovae, cataclysmic variables and other transient events for submission to international alerts and peer-reviewed journals. Results have contributed to multiple published papers and ATel telegrams, including work on cataclysmic variable evolution and spin-period histories of intermediate polars.
↗ AQ Men / IM Eri orbital periods · MNRAS 2013
Photometric transit campaigns
A network of exoplanet researchers uses our facility for primary transit photometry of confirmed and candidate exoplanets. The combination of stable seeing, low humidity and sub-arcsecond FWHM routinely achieved at the site makes it ideal for precision differential photometry at the millimagnitude level.
Professional astrophotography from 1,360 m
Imaging professionals and advanced amateurs use our facility for narrowband and broadband deep-sky work that requires consistent dark skies over multi-night sequences. Projects have included Milky Way panoramas, nebula mosaics and time-critical targets such as comets and novae.
Comet astrometry and nucleus monitoring
Comet specialists use our facility to submit positional measurements to the Minor Planet Center and to monitor nuclear condensation and fragmentation events. La Palma's low-horizon western sky provides access to objects shortly after conjunction that are inaccessible from most northern sites.
Long-term variable star monitoring
Long-period variables, Mira stars and eclipsing binaries require consistent multi-year datasets to characterise period changes and outburst cycles. Several of our clients run automated differential photometry pipelines that feed directly into AAVSO and VSX databases.
Want to be next?
We currently have limited pier availability for the upcoming expansion. If your research programme aligns with our facility's capabilities, we would like to hear from you.
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