The University of Tokyo’s Atacama Observatory, or TAO, is a 5,640 m high mountain peak observatory located in the Chilean Andes. Equipped with a 6.5 m diameter telescope, it uses infrared rays to observe the universe. This project was conceptualized 26 years ago and its goal is to study the evolution of galaxies and exoplanets.
TAO surpasses the Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA) telescope system at an altitude of 5,050 m, making it the tallest observatory on Earth. The name Cerro Chajnantor means “place of departure” in the Kunza language of the indigenous Likan Antai community, who live in the region. The high altitude, thin air, and year-round arid climate make it dangerous for humans but ideal for infrared telescopes like TAO.
The precision of observations requires low humidity, making Earth’s atmosphere transparent at infrared wavelengths. TAO’s telescope includes two scientific instruments, SWIMS and MIMIZUKU, designed to observe the universe using infrared rays. SWIMS will image galaxies from the early universe to understand their formation from primordial dust and gas. MIMIZUKU will study primordial dust disks that helped stars and galaxies form.
Scientists hope that TAO and other telescopes will help make unexpected discoveries that challenge current understanding and explain the unknown. They believe that better astronomical observations of real objects will lead to more accurate experiments on Earth.
