Chile Observatory Site
The Simons Observatory consists of a suite of Large and Small Aperture Telescopes developed and deployed across a high-altitude site near the summit of Cerro Toco in Northern Chile’s Atacama Desert. The Simons Observatory is graciously hosted in the Parque Astronomico de Atacama (PAA), roughly a one-hour drive from San Pedro de Atacama, Chile. The PAA is a site specifically designed for the development of astronomical projects. The video above illustrates the location and layout of the entire Simons Observatory site and complement of infrastructure in Chile.
Site Coordinates: Longitude – 67 deg 47′ West | Latitude 22 deg 57′ South | Elevation Above Sea Level: 5190 meters (17,000 feet).
The single Large Aperture Telescope (LAT) and multiple Small Aperture Telescopes (SATs) are supported by scientific support facilities including a high-bay for the integration of the LAT and SAT receivers (cameras), clean room space for the integration of delicate optical and detector subsystems, as well as control room and office buildings.
The Simons Observatory site is powered by a mix of diesel electric generators. These will be supplemented by the construction of a large-scale photovoltaic (PVA) power plant. The combination of diesel and PVA electricity generation are required to ensure the energy security of this remote site. Additional site infrastructure is currently under development to build two additional SATs under the support of the SO United Kingdom (SO:UK) project, and one additional SAT under the support of the SO Japan (SO:JP) project.
The telescope and PVA sites will be connected on a standalone electricity microgrid to ensure continuous site operations with uninterrupted and secure power supplies, which will boost the operational efficiency and, ultimately, scientific yield of the overall enterprise.
The Simons Observatory is grateful for our ever-deepening partnership with Chile to advance our scientific and educational goals, and bolster human understanding of the Universe in which we all live.
BELOW: High-resolution drone image of the Simons Observatory site with photorealistic illustration of the in-development PVA power plant site included.
