China-Iceland Arctic Science Observatory (CIAO)

The land of Kárhóll is owned by a non-profit organization named Arctic Observatory which will provide necessary land, facilities, and operational services for the Arctic Observatory. Polar Research Institute of China (PRIC) will lease the land for the operations of the observatory.

The project at Kárhóll will positively impact its local environment, both culturally and economically. The centre is planned to be open to the general public and build a bridge between scientific research and daily life by operating a visitor´s centre dedicated to the aurora borealis.

The visitors centre will be a very welcome addition to the existing flora of service and recreation possibilities in the vicinity. A local non-profit organization, Arctic Observatory, has been established to provide facilities and logistics for the CIAO.