PROMPT Telescopes

The PROMPT Telescopes form a system of five fully automatic reflecting telescopes positioned at 2200 meters elevation in northern Chile's desert. Each instrument has a 0.4-meter (16 inch) mirror and can move independently to observe different regions of the southern sky.

The system was installed in the early 2000s to automatically catch sudden events in the night sky. It built upon decades of research operations at the mountain site, which has hosted astronomical work since 1965.

Researchers from around the world work together through these telescopes to observe sudden cosmic events like stellar explosions. This global partnership has transformed how astronomers study rapid changes in the night sky.

Visitors can view the telescopes from outside, but this is primarily a research facility with restricted access to the instruments. The high altitude means thin air and cold nights, so anyone planning to visit should bring warm clothing and allow time to adjust.

The five telescopes are electronically linked to observe the same sky target simultaneously at different wavelengths of light. This synchronized approach allows them to detect rapid changes like gamma-ray bursts within seconds rather than miss them entirely.