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Changes in the scientific and technical operation at the Calar Alto Observatory are introduced in order to maximise its scientific productivity. Service observations ensure that the best scientific programmes are completed in a short time. A new dome ventilation system minimises local degradations of the seeing, and an optical engineering programme and instrument calibration plans guarantee a high technical performance at any given time. A possible new partner, CSIC, and the association of Calar Alto with the OPTICON medium-sized telescopes network will bring additional synergies in the future.

The capability of the optics of the TNG telescope is near the diffraction limit, and the Roque de los Muchachos is proven to be one of the best sites for astronomical observations in the world. Full exploiting of such imaging capabilities is obtained only through correction of the image perturbation due to the unavoidable atmospheric turbulence. The main guidelines of the Adaptive Optics module for the TNG telescope are sketched and the current status of such a project is outlined.