Southern Astrophysical Research Telescope

The Southern Astrophysical Research Telescope is an optical observatory featuring a 4.1-meter segmented mirror situated on Cerro Pachón mountain at approximately 2,738 meters elevation. The facility was built to study the southern sky and conduct various types of astronomical observations.

Construction of the telescope started in 1997 with the acquisition of materials for the mirror and was completed in January 2004. The project developed through collaboration between research institutions from Brazil, the United States, and Chile.

The telescope represents a partnership between institutions from Brazil, the United States, including North Carolina University and Michigan State University.

The facility is located in a high mountain area and is primarily open for scientific research and scheduled educational visits. Plan ahead as the location is remote and sits at high altitude where conditions can be challenging.

The telescope can deploy nine different instruments simultaneously, allowing researchers to conduct multiple types of astronomical observations in a single session. This multi-instrument setup makes the observation time more efficient for studying the southern sky.

Location: Vicuña

Inception: 2003

Elevation above the sea: 2,738 m

Diameter: 4.1 m

Part of: Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory

Website: https://noirlab.edu/science/programs/ctio/telescopes/soar-telescope

GPS coordinates: -30.23800,-70.73372

Latest update: December 8, 2025 20:02