Calar Alto

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Calar Alto
ObservatorioDelCalarAlto.JPG
View of the Calar Alto Observatory
Highest point
Elevation 2,168 m (7,113 ft)
Coordinates 37°13′25″N02°32′46″W / 37.22361°N 2.54611°W / 37.22361; -2.54611
Geography
Relief Map of Spain.png
Red triangle with thick white border.svg
Calar Alto
Location in Spain
Location Almería Province, Spain
Parent range Sierra de Los Filabres
Geology
Mountain type Schist
Climbing
Easiest route From Gérgal

Calar Alto is the highest peak (2168 m over sea level) in the Sierra de Los Filabres, a mountain subrange of the Sierra Nevada in Andalusia, Spain. It is also the highest peak in the said mountain subrange.

It hosts the Calar Alto astronomical observatory, which benefits from two aspects of the climate in the region: the dry atmosphere reduces the restrictions that atmospheric water vapor adds to the transmission characteristics of seeing through the atmosphere (see also the article Tabernas Desert), and the low number of cloudy nights adds nicely to the efficiency of observations through the year.

See also

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