Dutch 0.9-metre telescope (decommissioned)

The Dutch telescope was installed at La Silla in 1979 after being at Hartebeespoortdam in South Africa for many years equipped with a Walraven photometer. It is a reflecting telescope that was built by Rademakers of Rotterdam, Netherlands in the 1950's. In 1991 the telescope was re-equipped with a CCD and a Cassegrain adapter with two filter wheels and an autoguider. In 2006, the telescope was donated to Alain Maury, who moved it to his observatory near San Pedro de Atacama, where he uses it to search for asteroids.

Science goals

Wide-field imaging, Strömgren narrow-band photometry.

Science highlights with the Dutch 0.9-metre telescope

- A team of European astronomers succeeds in discovering the first extra-galactic silicon-monoxide (SiO) maser (eso9618).

- Dutch 0.9-metre telescope used to find planetary nebula around a rare new star (eso9619).

Dutch 0.9-metre telescope

Name: Dutch 0.9-metre telescope
Site: La Silla
Altitude: 2375 m
Enclosure: Classical dome
Type: Astrophotographic telescope
Optical design: Dall Kirkham reflector
Diameter. Primary M1: 0.91 m
Material. Primary M1: Pyrex
Diameter. Secondary M2: 0.25 m
Material. Secondary M2: Pyrex
Mount: Equatorial fork mount
First Light date: 3 March 1979
Decommissioning date: 2006
Active Optics: No
Images taken with the Dutch 0.9-metre telescope: Link
Images of the Dutch 0.9-metre telescope: Link
Videos of the Dutch 0.9-metre telescope: Link
Press Releases with the Dutch 0.9-metre telescope: Link