Cerro Armazones, Mountain summit in Sierra Vicuña Mackenna, Chile
Cerro Armazones is a mountain summit in the Sierra Vicuña Mackenna located in Chile's Coast Range in an extremely arid setting southeast of Antofagasta. The peak sits in one of the driest regions on Earth, providing outstanding clarity for viewing the night sky.
The peak was selected in 2010 as a location for major telescope construction after scientists identified its exceptional observing conditions. Building work commenced in the middle of the 2010s, transforming the remote mountain into an active research site.
The name comes from indigenous words that have long been used for this peak in the region, connecting the site to its geographical heritage. Today, the presence of research facilities has made the summit an important hub for global astronomical collaboration.
The location sits in an extremely dry region with stable weather and rain on almost no days throughout the year. Visitors should prepare for intense dryness, strong sun exposure, and high elevation, along with limited road access to the peak.
The mountain peak was deliberately reshaped by removing material to create a flat platform for the telescope facility. This topographical modification represents an unusual intervention that reflects the importance of the site for worldwide science.
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