The 1.23-meter telescope at the Calar Alto Observatory is a high-precision optical instrument located in the Sierra de los Filabres, Almería, at an altitude of 2,168 meters. Its Schmidt design allows observations with an f/8 focal ratio, and its effective collecting area is 0.922 m².

This telescope is essential for astrophysical research, contributing to studies of star formation, active galaxies, and transient events such as gamma-ray bursts. It also hosts other advanced instruments like CAFE (Calar Alto Fiber-fed Échelle spectrograph), a high-resolution spectrograph capable of measuring radial velocities with exceptional precision.

With a 2.2-meter aperture and a focal length of 17,037 mm, it offers a spatial resolution of 12.1″/mm at the Cassegrain focus. Its versatility makes it a valuable tool for professional astronomical observation, enabling the exploration of a wide range of cosmic phenomena.