Kitt Peak is the oldest national observatory in America.
Radio Light Pollution
While we can’t see radio waves, radio astronomy also suffers from an increase of light pollution.
Astronomy at the Edge of the Sky
In the mountains of Chile I experienced the brightest night sky I’ve ever seen.
The Chile Project
Half a century ago construction began on what would become the largest southern observatory of its time. It was known as the Chile project.
Place of Departure
Chajnantor means “place of departure,” or more poetically “place of ascension” in the Kunza language of the Atacama region. It is a plateau about 5000 meters (16,000 feet) above sea level. It’s elevation and arid climate makes for extremely difficult working conditions, but it also makes it perfect for the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array, or ALMA.
To Sleep, Perchance to Dream
I’m exhausted. I didn’t write a post yesterday because I was traveling back from Chile to Rochester. Normally I would have had a pre-written post, but in the past 10 days I’ve been on seven airline flights, traveled thousands of miles, stayed up far too late looking at stars, learning new things about astronomy in Chile and meeting new friends. …
The Boy They Left Behind
The main site at ALMA is at an elevation of 16,400 feet. Roughly half the atmosphere is below you at that point, and oxygen levels are pretty low. It can have some minor adverse effects in the best conditions, and downright life-threatening effects in the worst. So you have to pass a basic physical on site, and if you don’t …
Open Skies
Observing time and data on major telescopes like ALMA are available to anyone, even you and me.
Arrakis, Dune, Desert Planet
Yesterday we arrived at the Atacama region of Chile, and are staying in the small town of San Pedro. Atacama is perhaps the driest region in the world, and San Pedro is at an elevation of about 8,000 feet. That combination can be quite a punch. Fortunately we’ve been at a similar elevation the past couple of days at CTIO, …
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