The European Solar Telescope (EST) is a world-class scientific infrastructure that will be built at the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory (La Palma, Spain). Featuring a 4.2-metre primary mirror and advanced adaptive optics systems, EST will be the largest solar telescope in Europe and one of the most advanced in the world for studying the Sun’s magnetic activity and its effects on space weather. EST is an initiative of the European Association for Solar Telescopes (EAST), bringing together scientists, engineers, technicians and support staff from 18 European countries. The project is included in the European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures (ESFRI) Roadmap and is led by the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC) in collaboration with institutions across Europe.
The funding provided by the Government of the Canary Islands ensures the continuity of EST development activities during the period preceding its construction, consolidating the progress achieved in recent years and enabling a smooth transition towards the next implementation stages. This contribution is essential for completing the preliminary design of the telescope’s main systems and preparing the start of the detailed design phase.
The operation contributes to maintaining the engineering and design activities required for the development of the European Solar Telescope (EST). The funded activities focus on consolidating the preliminary design of the telescope’s main systems, including its optical, opto-mechanical, control, infrastructure and civil engineering subsystems, as well as defining the specifications that will form the basis of the future detailed design phases. In addition, they will support the validation of technological solutions, the preparation of procurement processes, and the maturation of key elements required for the start of the construction phase.
The funding also supports the development of EMBER (EST spectropolariMeter Based on slicEr-mirror in the near-infraRed), the scientific instrument dedicated to near-infrared spectropolarimetric observations, as well as the development and validation of Multi-Conjugate Adaptive Optics (MCAO) technologies. This key capability will enable EST to deliver high-resolution solar observations over fields of view significantly larger than those achievable with current systems.
Beyond its scientific impact, EST will strengthen the Canary Islands’ R&D ecosystem through the creation of highly skilled jobs, the development of advanced technologies, and the involvement of companies and institutions in high value-added activities. In this way, the project reinforces the role of the Canary Islands as a strategic hub for astronomical research and as an international reference in the development and operation of large-scale scientific infrastructures.
