After 26 years of planning and construction, the University of Tokyo Atacama Observatory (TAO) has officially opened its doors, taking the crown for the world’s highest observatory.
Soaring High for Celestial Insights
Perched a staggering 18,500 feet atop Chile’s Mount Chajnantor in the Atacama Desert, TAO boasts a massive 6.5-meter optical-infrared telescope, pushing the boundaries of astronomical observation. This achievement surpasses the previous record holder, the University of Madrid’s Chacaltaya Observatory in Bolivia, which sits at 17,191 feet.
A Clear Advantage: Why the Atacama Desert?
The Atacama Desert’s high altitude is no coincidence. This region in Chile, bordering Bolivia, is a hotspot for astronomical observatories due to its exceptionally clear skies, with minimal atmospheric moisture. This allows TAO to observe “almost the entire range of near-infrared wavelengths,” including the elusive mid-infrared spectrum, a feat impossible for any other ground-based telescope, according to Phys.org.
Beyond the Blue: Unveiling the Universe’s Secrets
The University of Tokyo highlights another advantage of Earth-bound telescopes: their larger apertures compared to space-based ones, enabling higher-resolution celestial imaging. Starting in 2025, TAO will embark on a mission to unravel the mysteries of galactic birth and planetary origins.
The potential for collaboration with the nearby ALMA telescope is also exciting. By observing the same celestial objects in different wavelengths, TAO could offer researchers a fresh perspective, unlocking new secrets of the cosmos.
Reaching for the Stars, Facing the Challenges
While the extreme altitude offers unparalleled observational clarity, it comes with a price. Humans struggle to thrive in such thin air. Yuzuru Yoshii, the project’s principal investigator who initiated it in 1998, revealed the challenges faced by construction workers. Regular medical checkups and constant oxygen inhalation were essential for their safety. Even researchers working within the observatory will need to take precautions against altitude sickness, Phys.org points out. To address this, the team plans to eventually operate TAO remotely from a lower base facility.
TAO joins a prestigious league of observatories gracing the Atacama landscape, including the European Extremely Large Telescope and the European Very Large Telescope. With its groundbreaking capabilities, TAO is poised to revolutionize our understanding of the universe, pushing the frontiers of astronomical exploration.
