Cornell’s high-powered telescope reaches its destination in Chile | Travel News

The initial component of the Fred Young Submillimeter Telescope (FYST) has arrived at its future home atop Cerro Chajnantor in Chile’s Parque Astronómico Atacama.

As reported by the Cornell Chronicle, FYST is set to become the world’s most powerful telescope of its kind due to its exceptional mapping speed and sensitivity to submillimeter wavelengths. The telescope will explore the formation of stars and galaxies from the early "cosmic dawn" through to the "cosmic noon," the period when most of today’s stars came into existence. It will also provide valuable data on cosmic inflation and gravitational waves stemming from the universe’s earliest moments.

“Scientists have known how to observe submillimeter frequencies for some time, but building a cost-effective telescope to do it has been out of reach—until now,” said project manager Jim Blair. “The mirrors, carbon fiber structures, and high-tech instruments—CHAI and PrimeCam—are all cutting-edge. They’re the key to FYST’s groundbreaking capabilities.”

The Atacama Desert’s extremely dry climate makes it one of the best places on Earth for astronomy. However, the harsh conditions and high altitude of Cerro Chajnantor also present significant logistical challenges. Workers must undergo specialized training and pass an exam to be certified to work at such elevations. Shifts are limited to 12 or 13 consecutive days, and each workday above 9,000 feet must be followed by a rest day at a lower altitude. Visitors are required to use supplemental oxygen.

“For nearly three decades, Cornell has envisioned placing a telescope on Cerro Chajnantor. Seeing this vision become reality is thrilling for our team and for the many scientists eager to use FYST,” said Martha Haynes, Chair of the Cerro Chajnantor Atacama Telescope Board of Directors and Distinguished Professor Emerita in Astronomy at Cornell.

FYST is a collaborative effort led by CCAT Observatory, Inc., with Cornell at the helm. The project includes a German partnership among the University of Cologne, the University of Bonn, and the Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics, along with a Canadian consortium headed by the University of Waterloo.

The telescope’s first scientific observations are scheduled to begin in April 2026.