2023-05-11 22:01:20
This week, the Federico Santa María Technical University (USM) announced the installation of the first instrument of the world’s highest gamma-ray observatory, which has already begun construction in Chile.
Is regarding CONDOR, whose acronym translates to Compact Network of Detectors of Orbital Range (Compact Network of Detectors with Orbital Range) and that marked the beginning of this important milestone for astronomy in Chile.
The observatory in question will consist of a set of detectors like the CONDOR, which They will be installed in the Atacama Astronomical Park, located in the town of San Pedro, at an altitude of 5,300 meters. approximately, according to a statement from the house of studies.
What will the highest gamma-ray observatory in the world be used for?
This facility has the objective of “measuring particles produced by the interaction of cosmic and gamma rays with the Earth’s atmosphere”detail.
For example, the CONDOR already installed “will provide a complete and continuous view of the southern sky, offering a continuous field of observation 24 hours a day, seven days a week“, which is why the observatory is being assembled at such an altitude.
It will also be able to reach very low energy gamma rays that are more difficult to capture at a lower altitude.
Dr. Miguel Arratia, USM physicist behind the observatory idea, described the project as “a network of many identical elements that must be synchronized and combined”. somewhat similar to the ALMA observatory, consisting of a network of 66 antennas.
According to the statement, recently the members of the Valparaíso Scientific and Technological Center (CCTVal), who are also part of the initiative, were in charge of installing the basic parameters and tested the remote operation of the instrument for future use.
It should be remembered that Gamma rays are a type of electromagnetic radiation that reach Earth as a result of very violent astrophysical phenomena that occur in space, such as supernova explosions or massive stars. and that are studied by astronomers to better understand these processes.
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