Record #00495Technology archive
The University of Tokyo Atacama Observatory stands at 5,640 m on Cerro Chajnantor in Chile. The summit facility was inaugurated in April 2024 and described by the university as the world's highest observatory; its main 6.5 m telescope remained under assembly in 2026.
Current Record
5640m
Current record value
Atacama's extremely dry high-altitude atmosphere improves infrared transparency, while low oxygen and remote access pose major engineering and operational challenges.
The 30 April 2024 ceremony took place in Santiago, celebrating completion of the summit structures including the enclosure. Tokyo University reported further transportation and assembly of 6.5 m telescope components in April 2026; full scientific commissioning is a distinct milestone.
Credible sources support core facts; the comparison scope or corroboration remains incomplete.
Basis: direct confirmation by an authority
University of Tokyo identifies TAO as the world's highest observatory at 5,640 m, with the summit facility completed in April 2024 and a ceremony held in Santiago. Main 6.5 m components were still under assembly in April 2026, so the record concerns site elevation and remains developing.
The summit site was inaugurated in 2024 while the 6.5 m telescope was still being assembled in 2026; highest established site is not necessarily highest fully operational telescope. Exact site coordinates remain unverified.
Current Entry identifies the current entry in this archive; it does not establish that the record is still held today.
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