-. Site Characterization of the Canarian Observatories:

1. Our Mission The OPTICON Integrated Infrastructure Initiative brings together all of Western Europe's owners and operators of large observatories and data centres. Our goal is to identify opportunities where greater progress can be made by collaboration than by competition, and to take unified actions to achieve those agreed goals. Contacts Chair: Co-ordination and Integration of ENO Facilities Mr. Jesús Burgos Martín Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias C/ Vía Láctea, s/n E-38205 – La Laguna, S/C Tenerife Canary Islands – SPAIN Telephone: +34 922605203 Fax: +34 922605210 E-mail: jburgos@iac.es OPTICON Project Scientist Dr. John K. Davies UK Astronomy Technology Centre, Blackford Hill Edinburgh, EH9 3HJ United Kingdom Telephone: +44 (0)131 668 8348Fax: +44(0)131 668 8407 E-mail: jkd@roe.ac.uk Coordination and Integration of ENO facilities The European Northern Observatory (ENO) comprises Teide Observatory (OT) and Roque de los Muchachos (ORM) Observatory (Canary Islands, Spain). More than sixty research institutions of nineteen countries have installed and operate their telescopes and other astronomical instrumentation at this site. ENO is thus an ideal site for new astronomical installations in the Northern Hemisphere. A working group under the framework of OPTICON has been established among those research institutions with facilities at ENO to coordinate different activities such as: Site Characterization Programmes, dissemination of good practices and transfer of knowledge, development of a Joint Information System (JIS) for the European Solar Community, development of a co-ordinated Laser Traffic Control System for ORM etc. Roque de los Muchachos Observatory – ORM, La Palma, Canary Islands This networking activity allows telescope operators at the Canary Islands’ Astronomical Observatories to set up a suitable framework of co-operation among them, by means of different actions: -. Co-ordination of scientific communities at ENO:Solar physics, Astro-particle physics, Cosmic Microwave Background, and Optical and Infrared astronomy communities will meet to promote a better co-ordination of similar infrastructures and to approach common challenges together. -. A co-ordinated laser traffic control system for the ORM: Development of a joint software system to orchestrate laser operations so as not to affect observations taking place at the other telescopes in any negative way. -. Joint Information System on European Solar Facilities: www.solarjis.com The JIS tool already developed is making possible to improve the sharing of knowledge amongst the European Solar Physics community (groups, institutions, skills, scientific activities, running programmes, resources, etc). -. Site Characterization of the Canarian Observatories: Different activities are being carried out: -. The co-ordination of night-time seeing measurements with DIMMs -. The co-ordination of day-time seeing measurements at Teide Observatory (OT). Joint actions for meteorology, dust, extinction and Sky Background -. Joint actions for Measurement of turbulence and wind vertical profiles (SCIDAR, GSM & DIMM) -. Distribution and discussion of results and participation in scientific forums -. Co-ordinated Actions on public outreach: www.eno.iac.es Specific actions to promote further co-ordination on public outreach activities, including conferences, open doors, major events, stands, etc, as well as dissemination of individual results arising from the facilities installed at ENO. OPTICONThe Optical Infrared Coordination Network for Astronomy Teide Observatory – OT Tenerife, Canary Islands