Site Studies of Infrared Observations with the TAO 6.5m Telescope

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Carrying out a satellite study of cloud cover and water vapor in northern Chile, we have selected Co. Chajnantor at an altitude of 5600m as a candidate site where TAO (university of Tokyo Atacama Observatory) 6.5m infrared telescope be installed. However, it is not feasible to observe, with satellites from space, the local weather conditions near the surface of the ground which would seriously differ from those observed from space. Thus it is vital to monitor the weather on site and to prove that the summit of Co. Chajnantor is an ideal site for the TAO telescope. In this research study, we have installed a standard weather measuring pole, seeing monitor, and cloud monitors on the summit, and measured clouds near the ground, seeing, wind velocities, etc., on which performance in astronomical observation should seriously depend.We have made :1.The weather conditions were measured with the cloud monitors, the weather monitoring pole, and the seeing monitor which were in stalled at an alt … More itude of 5000m until 2005.2.We have opened up a path to which is used to transport, from the mountain foot at 5000m to the summit at 5600m, personnel, instrument, and other materials in 2006.3.The cloud monitors, the weather monitoring pole, and the seeing monitor were transported to the summit in 2006, and the measurements started on the summit.4.The data thus acquired were analyzed.5.We have made some study related to the science which can only be carried out on this 5600m altitude site.The results are as follows. Cloud cover measured on the summit is the same as that measured at a 5000m altitude, and wind velocity at a 5600m altitude is within a tolerable range for telescope operation. Seeing measured on the summit has recorded a splendid value of 0.4 arcsec, nonetheless the measurements were made at a point where air turbulence is apt to occur. Here we conclude that it has been proven that the summit of Co. Chainantor is one of the world-best places for infrared astronomy, and thus for a site of the TAO 6.5m telescope. The goal of this study has been achieved. Less