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Cerro Chajnantor - site of CCAT Observatory

The magnificent Chilean Andes as seen from the CCAT Observatory site on Cerro Chajnantor

The magnificent Chilean Andes as seen from the CCAT Observatory site on Cerro Chajnantor

Descending from the summit

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TELESCOPE FACTS

 

During CCAT’s scientific lifetime, bolometer arrays will become available that are many times larger than those in present-day cameras. To accommodate new large-format cameras and enable large-scale galaxy and molecular cloud surveys, the optical design is optimized for a wide field of view.  The telescope will have an elevation over azimuth mount and will be in an enclosure to reduce wind buffeting and solar heating.  To achieve high aperture efficiency for short wavelength observations, the primary mirror will have an active surface. The mirror surface will be made of machined aluminum tiles on a thermally stable CFRP support structure.

DESIGN GOALS

 

Aperture: 25 meter diameter
Wavelength: 200 – 2,200 µm
Field of view: 1°
Angular Resolution 3.5"
Blind Pointing ≤ 2" rms
Offset Pointing ≤ 0.35" x (λ/350 µm) rms
Half wavefront error ≤ 10 µm rms