5 Observatories Built in Extraordinary Landscapes
Astronomical observatories seek darkness, dry air, stable skies, or protection from radio interference. That often places major instruments in remote landscapes where engineering and environment are inseparable.
These five facilities are visually remarkable before they even turn toward the sky.
ALMA spreads radio antennas across the Atacama Plateau
The Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array combines many movable antennas at high altitude in northern Chile. Working together, they function as a much larger instrument for studying cold and distant objects.
The Very Large Telescope looks out from Cerro Paranal
ESO's Very Large Telescope consists of four large unit telescopes and smaller auxiliary telescopes in the Atacama Desert. The dry, dark site provides excellent conditions for optical astronomy.
Mauna Kea observatories rise above much of the atmosphere
Several observatories occupy the summit region of Mauna Kea, where altitude and stable air support astronomy. The site is also culturally sacred, making stewardship and future use subjects of continuing debate.
Green Bank protects radio astronomy inside a quiet zone
The enormous steerable Green Bank Telescope operates in a region where radio transmissions are restricted. The quiet environment helps it detect extremely faint signals from space.
Arecibo's legacy dish filled a natural depression
For decades, the Arecibo radio telescope used a vast fixed dish built into the Puerto Rican landscape. The instrument collapsed in 2020, but its scientific and cultural legacy remains significant.
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