Spectacular Landscapes
In this section of the site are found images of Landscapes. Many of the photographs were taken in the Canary Islands, which as well as being superb sites from Astronomy, are also some of the most impressive landscapes anywhere in the world.
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The Isle of Wight. Lying just of the South Coast of the UK mainland is the Isle of Wight. This view from the air takes in the entire island, as well as the city of Portsmouth and its harbour at left.
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El Teide & Pico Viejo. The second highest peak of the islands is Pico Veijo (seen to the right of Teide) rising to over 3000m altitude. Its peak is much flatter than its larger neighbour.
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Strato-Cumulus Layer. The base of the Inversion layer mentioned below, is often marked by well defined layer of Strato-cumulus cloud, which sits around the islands. In this view, the conditions are overcast down in Puerto de la Cruz on the North coast, while on the near western side, and high altitude areas enjoy sunshine.
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Tenerife from the air. Almost the entire island of Tenerife can be seen in this view taken from an aircraft. Also far in the distance at top right lies the island of La Palma.
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From the top of El Teide. The highest point in the Canary Islands at 12'000ft is a superb place from which to view the entire archipelago. These two views show the view facing South, and East. Far in the distance the Island of Gran Canaria can be seen. Also note the ancient lava flow in the image at bottom left.
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Northern Tenerife. The northern side of Tenerife is topographically the most spectacular viewed from sea level, as it is much steeper, and greener, than the barren Southern side. Note the black volcanic sandy beach at Playa Jardin.
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A rare view of El Teide. This view was taken from the top of a hil in western Tenerife, about 800m above sea level on the only day the sky was clear enough to see the peak. This site, which lies near the small village of Tamaimo, is a superb point from which to view the island.
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The Spectacular El Teide Another view of the massive peak of Tenerife, showing some curious green coloured rocks in the foreground. The cable car station can also be seen in this view, with its pylons leading up the side of the peak.
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The Shark's Fin. The valley in which the wonderful village of Masca on Tenerife lies, is marked by this curious rock formation, differing in colour from its surroundings markedly, and appearing very much like the fin of a Shark.
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Northeastern Tenerife. The peak of El Teide is a superb place from which to view the entire island. This photo takes in the mountainous North Eastern region. The Observatorio del Teide can also be seen in the distance.
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The Issac Newton Group of Telescopes. The above photograph shows the 1.5m Jacobus Kaptyen Telescope, and the 2.5m Issac Newton Telescope, which are part of which is called the Issac Newton Group of Telescopes on La Palma. The domes are opened up ready for a nights imaging of the distant universe.
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Observatorio del Teide. The second major observatory (although it was built first) lies on the Izana ridge at Tenerife at 2386m altitude. Several domes are scattered across the area, with telescopes as large as 2m in operation. The Izana weather station is also seen at left. This view was taken from the peak of El Teide, several km away.
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Trade Winds Inversion. One of the great benefits to Astronomy from the Canary Islands is a near permanent Inversion Layer, which lies between 1000-1800m altitude (varies seasonally in height.) The means the upper land areas of Tenerife, La Palma and Gran Canaria actually rise above where the cumulus clouds form (at the base of the layer.) The above views shows how the humidity is trapped below the layer, leaving superbly clear dry air above - ideal for the situation of large Observatories.
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Moonrise over Montana Guajdara. The thrid highest peak on Tenerife (and in all the Canary Islands) is Montana Guajdara, rising to 2717m above sea level. Its shape is very distinct.
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La Gomera Island. One of the lesser known islands of the Canaries Archipelago, is La Gomera - a small steep island, with a beautiful national park of rare plant species covering the upper slopes at 1400m altitude. This is as it appears from the neighbouring island Tenerife, 20km away.
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Observatory Roque de los Muchachos. At the top of the island of La Palma lies one of the finest sites in the world for Astronomical Observations. Many domes are scattered across the peak of Fuente Nueva between 2300-2400m altitude, the largest in operation being the 4.2m William Herschel Telescope. The 10m Gran Tecan telescope is currently under construction at the site.
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A Foggy English Morning. A view from high above the ground shortly after sunrise showing the county of West Sussex covered in fog banks. Selsey Bill is visible on the South coast.
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El Teide in April 2002. The island of Tenerife is in fact a huge volcano, rising to 3718m altitude at its peak - the massive El Teide, seen here with the remains of the winter snowfall still littering its slopes.
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