Calar Alto, CSIC, and the University of Córdoba agree to collaborate in the field of astronomy

The University of Córdoba (UCO), the state agency CSIC - through the Institute of Astrophysics of Andalusia, IAA-CSIC, in Granada - and the Hispanic Astronomical Center in Andalusia (CAHA) of Calar Alto have signed a general action protocol to promote a common plan of academic, scientific-technical and social activities. The aim is to promote the dissemination and development of Astronomy and related fields. Calar Alto observatory thus confirms its commitment with the dissemination of Astronomy and Astrophysics in the academic community and Andalusian society.

The tripartite agreement involves scientific-technical collaboration in the field of engineering and astrophysics; activities aimed at the participation of students from the University of Córdoba in technical developments and advanced astronomical instrumentation projects; activities aimed at academic collaboration; and activities aimed at disseminating Astronomy (guided tours of the observatory, talks and courses on astronomy, etc.).

At the scientific level, a recent example of collaboration between UCO, CAHA and IAA is the University of Córdoba project (EU-funded recovery and resilience mechanism) “Analysis of the statistics of the distribution of galaxies in the large-scale structure using large astronomical surveys”.

Several astronomical survey projects have been carried out at Calar Alto, such as Alhambra, CALIFA, CAVITY (ongoing), or CATARSIS in the future -- all with a strong participation of researchers from Andalusian universities and the IAA-CSIC.

"With the signing of this new agreement, Calar Alto Observatory, co-managed by CSIC and the Junta de Andalucía, extends its formal collaboration with Andalusian universities," says Jesús Aceituno, CAHA Director. "This agreement adds to those previously established with the Universities of Almería, Granada and Seville, and entails a protocol with the University of Córdoba, a university that, like Calar Alto, has recently celebrated its 50th anniversary," highlights the Observatory Director.

Panoramic view of Calar Alto Observatory. Credit: Michael Kleinburger

About CAHA 

The Centro Astronómico Hispano en Andalucía de Calar Alto is located in the Sierra de Los Filabres, north of Almería (Andalucía, Spain). It is the largest astronomical observatory in continental Europe and is jointly operated by the Junta de Andalucía (through the Consejería de Universidad, Investigación e Innovación) and the Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía (IAA-CSIC).

About IAA-CSIC

The Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía (IAA-CSIC) is a center of the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC). Its mission is to deepen the knowledge of the cosmos and to bring it closer to society by doing cutting-edge Astrophysics and Space Science research, promoting technological development through the construction of new instrumentation and disseminating our research among the scientific community and the general public through outreach activities.