Cerro Pachón

Cerro Pachón (Spanish for "Pachón hill") is a mountain located close to the Chilean city of Vicuña and 10 km southeast of the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory, at an altitude of 2,715 m over the sea level in the foothills of the Andes. The location is exceedingly dry, making it suitable for infrared observations. The air overhead is very stable, yielding excellent visualization/seeing. During the summer months, Cerro Pachón is often above the haze layer that can envelop lower altitudes.

Cerro Pachón
Cerro Pachón
Highest point
Elevation2,715 m (8,907 ft)
Coordinates30°14′26.6″S 70°44′11.7″W
Geography
LocationChile
Parent rangeAndes

There are currently two telescopes commissioned on Cerro Pachón, Gemini South and the Southern Astrophysical Research Telescope. A third, the Vera C. Rubin Observatory, is under construction.

  • Wide view observatories from the air, including Cerro Pachón. In the distance are the Andes
  • A night view of the Gemini South, the southern half of the international Gemini Observatory on Cerro Pachón with the Milky Way and streak of light left by a meteor in the background.

See also

References
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