High Energy Stereoscopic System, Astronomical research complex in Khomas Region, Namibia
The High Energy Stereoscopic System is an observatory with five telescopes of different sizes working together. Four telescopes have 12-meter mirrors arranged in a square pattern, while a central telescope in the middle has a 28-meter mirror for detecting gamma rays from space.
The facility began operations in 2002 and was expanded a decade later with the addition of the central telescope called HESS II. This expansion improved the observatory's ability to detect and study gamma rays from distant cosmic sources.
The facility honors Victor Hess, a physicist whose experiments transformed how we understand cosmic radiation reaching Earth. Visitors can witness how international science collaborates here and learn the stories behind the instruments they see.
The observatory sits at an elevation of about 1800 meters in Namibia's semi-arid landscape, making it ideal for observing cosmic events. Keep in mind that this high altitude means cooler temperatures and stronger winds than lower elevations, so bring appropriate clothing.
In 2004, this observatory achieved a scientific milestone by becoming the first instrument of its kind to spatially resolve a distant cosmic gamma-ray source. This breakthrough demonstrated just how precisely these instruments could capture details from space.
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