Unveiling the Universe: The Official Launch of Japan’s Groundbreaking Atacama Observatory

After 26 years of planning and construction, the University of Tokyo Atacama Observatory (TAO) officially opened. Located in the Atacama Desert in Chile, TAO is now the highest optical-infrared telescope in the world, situated 18,500 feet high on Mount Chajnantor. This new telescope replaces MiniTAO and surpasses the Chacaltaya Observatory in Bolivia.

One of TAO’s key features is its ability to observe near-infrared wavelengths due to its high altitude, which results in minimal moisture in the air. This allows TAO to take high-resolution images of space that other earthbound telescopes cannot. The University of Tokyo plans to use TAO to study the birth of galaxies and the origin of planets starting in 2025.

In addition to its scientific capabilities, TAO also promises to provide researchers with new insights on celestial objects viewed by nearby ALMA telescope by observing them in different wavelengths. However, building and maintaining TAO at such extreme altitude poses challenges for human occupants. Workers needed medical checkups and had to regularly inhale oxygen while working on the telescope due to the thin air at that height.

Despite these challenges, TAO’s opening marks a significant milestone in astronomical research and promises to expand our understanding of the universe in the years to come.