Fred Young Submillimeter Telescope

The Fred Young Submillimeter Telescope is a radio telescope with a 6-meter diameter mirror located in the Atacama Desert at over 5,600 meters elevation. The facility uses wide-field cameras and spectrometers to study phenomena such as galaxy evolution and the distribution of matter throughout the universe.

The telescope was constructed in 2021 and replaced an older instrument at the same location. Work involved excavating a 22-meter diameter hole for the cement foundation in this remote mountain region.

Scientists from Cornell University, German institutions, and the Canadian Atacama Telescope Consortium collaborate on this international research facility.

The site sits at an extreme elevation that requires proper preparation and acclimatization. Visitors should expect cold temperatures, dry air, and intense high-altitude sun.

The observatory operates at an altitude higher than Mount Everest base camp, enabling exceptional observations of submillimeter wavelengths. This extreme position makes it one of Earth's best locations for this type of cosmic research.

Elevation above the sea: 5,612 m

Diameter: 6 m

Website: http://ccatobservatory.org

GPS coordinates: -22.98592,-67.74028

Latest update: December 14, 2025 12:27