The University of Tokyo Atacama Observatory 6.5m telescope: site development

Takashi Miyata; Yuzuru Yoshii; Mamoru Doi; Kotaro Kohno; Masuo Tanaka; Kentaro Motohara; Takeo Minezaki; Shigeyuki Sako; Tomoki Morokuma; Toshihiko Tanabe; Bunyo Hatsukade; Hidenori Takahashi; Takafumi Kamizuka; Hiroaki Sameshima; Natsuko Kato; Mizuki Mumata; Tsutomu Aoki; Takao Soyano; Ken'ichi Tarusawa; Hisaka Iwano; Yukihiko Hamamichi; Osamu Matsubara; Joaquin Collao

doi:10.1117/12.2559916

13 December 2020 The University of Tokyo Atacama Observatory 6.5m telescope: site development

Takashi Miyata, Yuzuru Yoshii, Mamoru Doi, Kotaro Kohno, Masuo Tanaka, Kentaro Motohara, Takeo Minezaki, Shigeyuki Sako, Tomoki Morokuma, Toshihiko Tanabe, Bunyo Hatsukade, Hidenori Takahashi, Takafumi Kamizuka, Hiroaki Sameshima, Natsuko Kato, Mizuki Mumata, Tsutomu Aoki, Takao Soyano, Ken'ichi Tarusawa, Hisaka Iwano, Yukihiko Hamamichi, Osamu Matsubara, Joaquin Collao

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 11445, Ground-based and Airborne Telescopes VIII; 1144506 (2020) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2559916
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2020, Online Only

Abstract

One of remarkable features of the University of Tokyo Atacama Observatory (TAO) is an altitude of the site (5,640 m.a.s.l.) While this provides us an excellent condition for astronomical observations, the site development is attended with difficulty due to the hard conditions such as low pressure, low temperature, and limited access. Site preparation for the TAO 6.5 m telescope started in Apr. 2018. Firstly, we have constructed an access road from Pampa la bola plateau (~ 5,000 m.a.s.l) to the summit. It has a width of < 6.5 meter for transportation of telescope parts including the 6.5meter mirror. In order to prevent collapse, angle of side slope is carefully determined based on ground condition and frozen soils. All workers always use oxygen during their work as a measure against hypobaropathy. Since the site temperature in night is lower than 0 degree even in the summer season, it is difficult to ensure quality of foundation concrete if we cast it in-situ. We use pre-cast concrete for the foundation of the telescope, the enclosure, and the support building. The biggest part is the telescope foundation. It has a weight of 600 ton. Considering the transportation to the summit, it is divided into 43 parts and unified at the summit. This is a new trial to make a massive foundation for a large telescope with pre-cast concrete.

Conference Presentation

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Takashi Miyata, Yuzuru Yoshii, Mamoru Doi, Kotaro Kohno, Masuo Tanaka, Kentaro Motohara, Takeo Minezaki, Shigeyuki Sako, Tomoki Morokuma, Toshihiko Tanabe, Bunyo Hatsukade, Hidenori Takahashi, Takafumi Kamizuka, Hiroaki Sameshima, Natsuko Kato, Mizuki Mumata, Tsutomu Aoki, Takao Soyano, Ken'ichi Tarusawa, Hisaka Iwano, Yukihiko Hamamichi, Osamu Matsubara, and Joaquin Collao "The University of Tokyo Atacama Observatory 6.5m telescope: site development", Proc. SPIE 11445, Ground-based and Airborne Telescopes VIII, 1144506 (13 December 2020); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2559916

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