Magellan Telescopes

The Magellan Telescopes are two optical instruments located at high altitude in the Atacama Desert, each equipped with a primary mirror measuring 6.5 meters across. These two telescopes work together to explore the universe and capture detailed images of distant celestial objects.

The Baade telescope began operations in 2000, while the Clay telescope started two years later. These two instruments marked an important chapter in ground-based astronomy and have had a revolutionary impact on the field since then.

The facility draws researchers from several major universities who work together observing the sky. This collaboration shapes the place as a center where scientists from different countries gather daily to study distant objects in space.

The high elevation provides clear skies with minimal light pollution and stable weather year-round. Visitors should prepare for thin air and bring warm clothing, as temperatures at this altitude are significantly cooler.

The facility contains specialized instruments like IMACS and MIKE spectrographs that allow scientists to conduct unusually detailed surveys of distant celestial bodies. These advanced tools enable discoveries that would be completely impossible with the naked eye or less precise telescopes.

Location: Atacama Region

Elevation above the sea: 2,392 m

Diameter: 6.5 m

Part of: Las Campanas Observatory

GPS coordinates: -29.01500,-70.69167

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:40