Aena and the IAC collaborate in the renewal of the lighting of the Tenerife South Airport

Tenerife South Airport
Tenerife South Airport. Credit: Aena.
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SUBDIRECTORATE

The Technical Office for the Protection of the Quality of the Sky (OTPC) of the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC) is collaborating with the engineers of Aena so that the exterior lighting of the Tenerife South Airport incorporates the recommendations of the Institute, in order to preserve the astronomical quality of the Canary Observatories.

Aena keeps in close touch with this department of the IAC so that the new exterior lighting of Tenerife South Airport conforms to the technical characteristics recommended to improve its efficience and reduce light pollution.

Since it was created in 1992 the OTPC of the IAC facilitates the application of the Law of the Sky (Law 31/1988) and its specific regulations, by means of recommendations and a consulting service. It protects the Canary Observatories not only from light pollution but also from radio pollution, both atmospheric, and due to air routes, in this way making sure that the Canary sky preserves is excellent conditions for observing, which also acts to protect the rich biodiversity of the Island.

More and more administrative authorities are committed to taking care of the Island of Tenerife on the side of the island not protected by the Law of the Sky. Such actions were taken at the beginning of this year by the Government of the Canaries, the Cabildo of Tenerife, and the City Councils of Santa Cruz de Tenerife and San Cristóbal de La Laguna, and more recently that of Güímar, by their commitments to change their exterior lighting and by signing agreements of collaboration.

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News type
Press release
Scope
Observatorios de Canarias
Sky quality
General public
Communications media
sky protection
Light Pollution
Aena

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