Privacy policy
Download the EST privacy policy in PDF format here.
The European Solar Telescope is committed to protecting and respecting privacy. In accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018 and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) 2016/279, this policy explains when and why EST collects personal information, how it uses it, the conditions under which it may disclose it to others and how it keeps it secure.
By joining the EST contest, you are agreeing to be bound by this policy. Any questions regarding this policy and our privacy practices should be sent by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
EST
The European Solar Telescope (EST) is a next generation large-aperture solar telescope. Its main objective is to study the magnetic and dynamic coupling of the solar atmosphere. With a 4.2-metre primary mirror, EST will specialise in high spatial and temporal resolution, using several spectroscopic and spectropolarimetric instruments simultaneously to produce 2D spectral information. This will allow diagnostics of the thermal, dynamic and magnetic properties of the solar plasma over many scale heights. EST will be located in the Canary Islands (Spain), a first-class site for astronomical observations.
The EST project is promoted by the European Association for Solar Telescopes (EAST). EAST is formed by 26 research institutions from 18 European countries. For more information, see https:/est-east.eu/east.
Your data
Information collected from you
Once you give EST your consent to collect your personal information (this might include your name, address, phone number, email address, country, job title, and place of employment), EST may use it to send you information and updates about the European contest The Sun at a Glance. Also, EST may use it for future internal analysis, evaluation and reports.
Once you give EST your consent to collect student’s personal information (names, birth dates and school’s name), EST may use it for future internal analysis, evaluation and reports. Please seek consent from the parents/legal guardians of the students before signing up for the contest.
All the information must be submitted by the teacher in charge of a student team. The names of the students will be published on the EST website only with permission from the teacher for the purposes of promoting the contest.
How do we collect your data?
You directly provide EST with most of the data we collect. We collect data and process data when you:
- voluntarily complete a registration or submission form
- use or view our website via your browser’s cookies
How long do we keep your data?
EST will hold your personal information for as long as is necessary for the relevant activity.
Access to your information by third parties
EST will not sell or rent your information to third parties nor share your information with third parties for marketing purposes. EST may share your information with third parties upon your explicit consent, and only for the specific purpose that was agreed upon.
By sending your information through Google Forms, you agree with Google’s privacy policy https://policies.google.com/privacy.
Access and update your information
If you wish to stop receiving emails from EST, you may do so by contacting us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. In case of a removal request, EST commits to deleting the personal information as promptly as possible and within a reasonable period of time, giving you confirmation by email once the removal is completed. You are entitled to access your personal information anytime, to receive a copy of the information EST holds about you, and to rectify or remove it by contacting us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
EST website
The EST website uses cookies, small pieces of information sent by an organisation to your computer and stored on your hard drive to allow that website to recognise you when you visit.
Only essential cookies needed to provide the information and services requested by the user and to obtain statistical information on how users navigate the website are implemented.
It is possible to switch off cookies by setting your browser preferences.
External links
The EST website may contain links to websites run by other organisations. This privacy policy applies only to the EST website‚ and EST cannot be responsible for the privacy policies and practices of other sites even if you access them using links from the EST website.
What do we analyse or track?
EST has implemented Google Analytics, which is used to track website activity such as session duration, pages per session, bounce rate, etc. of individuals using the site, along with the information on the source of the traffic for analysis purposes. You can use the Google Analytics Opt-Out Browser Add-on to disable tracking by Google Analytics.
Children’s privacy protection
We understand the importance of protecting children’s privacy online. Our emails are not designed for, or intentionally targeted at, underage children. It is not our policy to intentionally collect data directly from anyone under the age of 18. In particular, EST will not contact any of the students participating in this contest. Communication will be restricted to the student’s teacher.
Review of this policy
This Policy was last updated in May 2021.