Cerro Armazones
Cerro Armazones | |
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The peak of Cerro Armazones appears flattened as efforts continue to craft a platform for the European Extremely Large Telescope. | |
Highest point | |
Elevation | 3,064 m (10,052 ft) |
Coordinates | 24°35′21″S 70°11′32″W / 24.58917°S 70.19222°WCoordinates: 24°35′21″S 70°11′32″W / 24.58917°S 70.19222°W |
Geography | |
Cerro Armazones Location in Chile | |
Location | Antofagasta Region, Chile |
Parent range | Cordillera Vicuña Mackenna |
Cerro Armazones is a mountain located in the Sierra Vicuña Mackenna of the Chilean Coast Range, approximately 130 km (81 mi) south-east of Antofagasta in the Antofagasta Region, Chile. Before the construction of the European Extremely Large Telescope started the summit was a horizontal control point with an elevation of 3,064 metres (10,052 ft).[1] It is located in a privileged zone for optical astronomy because it has 89% cloudless nights a year.[2] It currently hosts the 1.5 m (5 ft) Hexapod-Telescope and other telescopes at the Cerro Armazones Observatory.
On 26 April 2010, the European Southern Observatory Council selected Cerro Armazones as the site for the planned European Extremely Large Telescope.[3]
Gallery
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Night-time panorama of Cerro Armazones
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Carving a route to Armazones, with Cerro Paranal and the Very Large Telescope in the background.
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Result of the apparent motion of the stars through the southern sky.[1]
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Sunset Cerro Armazones.
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360 panorama.
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After the groundbreaking back in June 2014, work continues on Cerro Armazones in preparation for construction work on the E-ELT.
- ^ "Ripples Across the Chilean Sky". ESO Picture of the Week. Retrieved 29 May 2013.
References
- ↑ Joint Operations Graphic (JPEG) (Map) (1 ed.). 1 : 250,000. 1501. Defence Mapping Agency Topographic Center. 1974. p. Sheet SG 19-2.
- ↑ Schöck, M.; Els, S.; Riddle, R.; Skidmore, W.; Travouillon, T.; Blum, R.; Bustos, E.; Chanan, G.; Djorgovski, S. G.; Gillett, P.; Gregory, B.; Nelson, J.; Otárola, A.; Seguel, J.; Vasquez, J.; Walker, A.; Walker, D.; Wang, L. (1 April 2009). "Thirty Meter Telescope Site Testing I: Overview". Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific. 121 (878): 384–395. arXiv:0904.1183. Bibcode:2009PASP..121..384S. doi:10.1086/599287.
- ↑ "E-ELT Site Chosen". Europe: European Southern Observatory. 26 April 2010. Retrieved 26 April 2010.