TAO Base Facility Close to Completion !
The TAO base facility, which supports the operation and development of the TAO telescope, is under construction in San Pedro de Atacama since May 2013. Now it is nearing completion, and the completion ceremony is planned in November 2014. This article reports about the facility and its current status.
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▲Current TAO base facility.
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TAO Base Facility
The TAO base facility has a large area of about 14,000 m² and is located in a convenient place walkable to the center of the city, San Pedro de Atacama. We acquired the land in August 2008. Since wireless network antennae were installed in February 2011, the land has been used for remote operation of the miniTAO telescope. In preparation for the construction and operation of the TAO 6.5-m telescope, a large building which can support them has been needed.
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▲ Location of TAO base facility in San Pedro de Atacama.
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The building currently under construction has an area of about 500 m² and consists of two buildings, main building and generator building. Various rooms listed below are being prepared in this facility, and further extension is also being planned.
- Laboratory for assembling large instruments
- Observation room for remote operation of the TAO telescope
- Office room for management of the TAO observatory
- Reserch room for analyzing observation data
- Lounge and kitchen for daily life
- Bedrooms for observers
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▲Rendering of TAO base facility
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▲Medallion on entrance
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▲Nameplate beside main gate
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| Summary of TAO Base Facility |
| Address |
Ayllu de Larache Parte Lote numero cuatro, de la comuna de San Pedro de Atacama, Provincia El Loa, Chile |
| Site Area |
14,794.6 m² |
| Building Area |
588.50m² |
| Structure |
Single-story, Reinforced concrete |
Construction
After completion of the foundation work of the main building started in April 2013, concrete casting for the main structure and construction of the generator room, main gate and wall started in September 2013. Since January 2014, the activity has moved to interior work.
After completion of the foundation work of the main building started in April 2013, concrete casting for the main structure and construction of the generator room, main gate and wall started in September 2013. Since January 2014, the activity has moved to interior work.
May-August 2013, Foundation Work of Main Building
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Excavation and Measurement
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Casting Concrete Slab
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Casting Concrete Beam
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September-December 2013, Concrete Casting of Main Building, Construction of Generator Building and Main Gate
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Outer Wall Surrounding Main Building
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Entrance of Main Building
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January-March 2014, Interior Work
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Installing Cable Rack
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Stone Patching
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Placing Main Cable
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April- 2014, Interior Finishing, Installing Generator, Constructing Wall
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Closeup View of Entrance
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Exterior Appearance
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Entrance
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Casting Terrace Concrete
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Installing Lights
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Completed Stone Wall beside Main Gate
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