The Telescopio Nazionale Galileo celebrates 30 years of science, discoveries and innovation

Thirty years of astronomical research, technological innovation, training and international collaboration. The Telescopio Nazionale Galileo (TNG) is celebrating the 30th anniversary of its inauguration with three days of events taking place from 22 to 24 September 2026 on the island of La Palma.

The event, entitled "Thirty Years of the Telescopio Nazionale Galileo - Celebrating Past, Present and Future of the Largest Italian Optical Telescope", will bring together astronomers, researchers, technicians, institutional representatives and people who have played a role in the history of the telescope to look back at three decades of activity and discuss the future prospects of the TNG.

With its 3.58-meter primary mirror, the TNG is the main optical telescope of the Italian astronomical community. Located at an altitude of approximately 2,400 meters at the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory, the telescope belongs to the Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica (INAF) and is operated by the Fundación Galileo Galilei.

On 29 June 1996, the TNG was officially inaugurated, marking the beginning of one of the most important projects in Italian astronomy. Over three decades of activity, it has become a key facility for the study of exoplanets, stars and planetary systems, transient phenomena, small bodies of the Solar System and many other areas of astrophysics. At the same time, it has contributed to the training of generations of astronomers and to the development of national and international scientific collaborations.

The 30th anniversary is therefore not only an opportunity to celebrate, but also a chance to look back at a scientific and technological journey and reflect on the role that a major national research facility can continue to play in research, innovation, training and international cooperation.

"Thirty years of the TNG are thirty years of scientific achievements, technological development and international collaboration. This anniversary gives us the opportunity to celebrate the history of the telescope and the many people who have contributed to it, while also looking ahead to the challenges and opportunities of the future. We want the TNG to continue to be a place where excellent science, innovation and the training of young researchers come together," said A. Ghedina, TNG Director.

The celebrations will begin on Tuesday 22 September, at the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory, at the TNG, in the presence of political and academic representatives. The ceremony will be the institutional event dedicated to the history of the telescope and to the people who, over the years, have contributed to its construction, development and scientific achievements.

On 23 September, the program will move to the Palacio Salazar in Santa Cruz de La Palma, where the scientific workshop dedicated to thirty years of TNG activity will begin.

The day will focus on the history and scientific impact of the telescope, with talks covering its early activities and some of the major results obtained throughout its history: from the search for and characterization of exoplanets to studies of stars and stellar clusters, and observations of active galactic nuclei.

The anniversary celebrations will not focus solely on the past. The workshop will also provide an opportunity to discuss the future prospects of the TNG, in an astronomical landscape that in the coming years will see the full operation of new-generation facilities and missions, including ELT, PLATO, HWO and the Einstein Telescope.

The aim is to discuss how the TNG can continue to play a leading role in astronomical research through new instrumentation, technological upgrades and new scientific programs, maintaining its ability to deliver outstanding scientific results and contribute to the training of the next generations of researchers.

The 30th anniversary celebrations will tell the story of the TNG through images, words and memories.

During the conference, the winners and works of the Photography and Literary Contests will be presented, while the Palacio Salazar will host an exhibition retracing the TNG’s journey from 1996 to today through its main scientific achievements, discoveries and milestones.

Thirty years after its inauguration, the TNG looks to the future while celebrating a history built on people, technology, collaboration and curiosity about the Universe.