Location: located in the interior of the Elqui Valley 88 km southeast from La Serena and on an altitude of 2200 m above sea level, in the providence of Elqui.

 Description:  There the climate is moderated by currents of cols air that come from southwest of the Pacific Ocean and by the Humboldt stream that runs north. A sky not affected by city lights, a transparent atmosphere and the proximity to the desert combine to create one of the best  sites of the world for astronomic observations.

 The interamerican observatory of “Cerro Tololo” hast telescopes, specialized instruments and other facilities for the most advanced astronomic investigations that are possible on the earths’ surface. The instruments and installations of this observatory are operated and shared by astronomers of both hemispheres.

 The 4 m telescope installed at mount Tololo is considered one of the most modern astronomic instruments in the world and is operated since January of 1976. The main part is a mirror of 4 m diameter made of cervil a material of enormous stability. It took 30 months to place the mirror in the required perfection. A lot of scientists consider this mirror one of the best amongst the big telescopes existing in the world.

The size of the telescope that contains the mirror is 14 m. and it is protected by a cupola of 38 m height, so precisely balanced that a man can move it with his hand. Inside this round building that measures 33 m width and holds the cupola are workspaces, storage spaces, offices, laboratories and a modern library. With its efficient primary focus and its secondary mirror that is easily removable the 4 m telescope of the mount Tololo is one of the most efficient and versatile instruments in the world.

Almost a twin in the design of the 4 m telescope of “Cerro Tololo” is the 4 m Telescope Nicholas U. Mayall, operated by AURA Inc. in the national observatory of Kitt Peak, close to Tucson, Arizona. Those two telescopes of 4 m –one in each hemisphere- provide the astronomers of the scientific world with instruments for the most advanced investigations in astronomy. Together, those two telescopes cover the investigation of the whole canopy, extending the range of man until the infinite.

Together with the giant instrument of 4 m, seven other telescopes are installed at mount Tololo. All these telescopes are equipped with photographic cameras, Spectrographs and Photometers and are used for personal Science, resident as well as visiting, in programs about astronomic investigation.

The interamerican Observatory of “Cerro Tololo” is at disposition of all scientists of the world who wish to conduct investigations in the atmosphere of the southern hemisphere.

Approximately 60% of the observation time of the telescopes are reserved for visiting scientists, with preference to scientists of North Southamerica.

The visitor accompanied by a guide from the observatory, can get to know the installations, the telescopes and their cupolas, inform himself about the physical nature of the universe and admire the surrounding landscape from the cupola.

Included: Transport in tourism accredited minibuses + Snack

Schedule of departure: at 10.00 o’clock, schedule to be confirmed

Recommendations: Jacket, closed shoes