Major new telescope on Chilean summit opens window on universe

This article presents the wonderful story of the development and construction of the Fred Young Submillimeter Telescope (FYST).

At a height of 18,400 feet above sea level — higher than the Mount Everest base camp at 17,598 feet — FYST lies above most of the atmospheric layers that block submillimeter waves from reaching the ground. The Atacama Desert's extremely dry air will provide exceptional views, without water vapor to obscure the signal.

Building a major new telescope at this elevation presented a significant challenge. Atmospheric pressure at the summit of Cerro Chanjantor is less than half what it is at ground level, which required construction workers, and all visitors to the site, to pass a strict physical examination and use continuous oxygen at the summit. The weather, too, proved difficult, with the low temperatures and frequent high winds.

The FYST is not the most elegant telescope as it is boxy and unsymmetrical. The beauty of this telescope resides in the science it makes possible and not in its appearance.

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