World's highest observatory begins operations in Chile - Physics World

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Sky high: The University of Tokyo Atacama Observatory will study the origins of planets and galaxies. (Courtesy: 2024 TAO project)

Following almost three decades of planning and construction the world's highest observatory has begun operations. The University of Tokyo Atacama Observatory (TAO), which is located at an altitude of 5640 m on the summit of Cerro Chajnantor at Atacama in northern Chile, officially opened today. The infrared telescope will be used to better our understanding of the universe as well as the origin of life.

At such a height, the clear skies and little water vapour in the atmosphere make Atacama one of the best places in the world for ground-based infra-red astronomy. Built by the University of Tokyo, the telescope, which can be remotely controlled, includes a 6.5 m primary mirror that has been developed at Richard F. Caris Mirror Lab at the University of Arizona.

The observatory features two spectrographic instruments. The Simultaneous-color Wide-field Infrared Multi-object Spectrograph (SWIMS) will cover a wavelength range of 0.9 to 2.5 micrometres to observe a large areas of the sky. SWIMS will be used to study galaxies as well at the evolution of supermassive black holes that exist at their centres.

The Mid-Infrared Multimode Imager for gaZing at the UnKnown Universe (MIMIZUKU), meanwhile, will operate between 2-38 micrometres. MIMIZUKU will be used to better understand the chemical nature of organic dust in the universe, which can reveal details about the evolution of different materials, including those that led to the creation of life.

Takashi Miyata, from the University of Tokyo who is managing the observatory's construction, has been working on the TAO for over 20 years and says he is "very excited" about the start of observations.

"Thanks to the height and arid environment, TAO will be the only ground-based telescope in the world capable of clearly viewing mid-infrared wavelengths," he adds. "This area of the spectrum is extremely good for studying the environments around stars, including planet-forming regions".

Climate change threatens future astronomical observations

Given the issues working at such an altitude, Yuzuru Yoshii from the Univeristy of Tokyo notes that construction "was an incredible challenge". He adds there were also political issues that had to be respected.

"I have liaised with Indigenous peoples to ensure their rights and views are considered, the Chilean government to secure permission, local universities for technical collaboration, and even the Chilean Health Ministry to make sure people can work at that altitude in a safe manner," notes Yoshii. "Thanks to all involved, research I've only ever dreamed about can soon become a reality, and I couldn't be happier."

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