Q/U Imaging ExperimenT

The Q/U Imaging ExperimenT is a radio telescope array at Llano de Chajnantor Observatory in northern Chile's Atacama Desert. The installation consists of several telescopes with diameters between 2 and 7 meters operating at an elevation of 5,080 meters.

The telescope began observing cosmic microwave background radiation in 2008 and collected data through December 2010. This operational window provided significant contributions to cosmological research and understanding of the universe's early radiation patterns.

The observatory represents a collaboration between scientists from multiple institutions across different continents working toward understanding the universe's origins. This international partnership shows how researchers unite around shared scientific goals regardless of national borders.

The remote desert location provides minimal atmospheric interference for precise observations of cosmic radiation. The high altitude and harsh terrain mean visitors should prepare appropriately for these challenging environmental conditions.

The instrument measured Stokes parameters Q and U simultaneously using detector arrays operating at 43 and 95 gigahertz frequencies. This specialized measuring approach enabled analysis of polarized radiation from the universe's earliest epoch.

Inception: 2008

Elevation above the sea: 5,080 m

Diameter: 2 m

Part of: Llano de Chajnantor Observatory

Website: http://quiet.uchicago.edu

GPS coordinates: -23.02847,-67.76169

Latest update: December 10, 2025 20:08