A Farewell to the Stars: Removing the ASA telescope from the observatory in Leuven

On the morning of May 9, a remarkable chapter in the history of the Institute of Astronomy in Leuven came to a close — and a new one began under darker skies. The ASA 800mm f/10 telescope in the Leuven rooftop observatory, was carefully removed in preparation for its journey to a new home: the pristine, light-pollution-free skies of La Palma.

The upper part of the telescope is leaving the dome.

The operation began around 9:00 AM, when a massive crane arrived at the Institute. The sight was nothing short of spectacular. As the dome opened and the telescope emerged, onlookers watched in awe as the instrument was gently lifted into the air. Suspended high above the building, the telescope seemed to hover for a moment.

The upper part of the telescope hovering in the air.

The telescope was disassembled into two main parts for the move. The first part included the trusses and the upper cage, while the second comprised the mount and the mirror box — the heart of the telescope. Each component was carefully lowered to the ground.

The mirror box

But this is not the end for the ASA 800mm. It will soon become part of the Marvel instrument in La Palma, where it will continue its mission under some of the clearest skies in the world. There, free from the interference of city lights, it will help astronomers unlock new cosmic mysteries.