Inauguration ceremony of TAO base facility was held in San Pedro de Atacama city

An inauguration ceremony of the base facility in San Pedro de Atacama, which will serve as a base for the development and operation of the TAO telescope, was held on November 21, 2014. In addition, a number of related events were held.

Inauguration ceremony of the TAO base facility

On November 21, 2014, the inauguration ceremony was held at the public hall in San Pedro city, and a total of 42 people attended the ceremony; from the University of Tokyo, Embassy of Japan in Chile, San Pedro city, ALMA and other peripheral astronomical projects, Japan and local companies and so on. At the ceremony, a letter of appreciation was given to the construction company of San Pedro City, SEKAI M.Z., KOKUSAI LAND ＆ DEVELOPMENT CO., LTD., Andes Shoji Chile S.A., companies which contributed to the construction of the facility.

Ms. Sandra Berna, mayor of San Pedro, giving congratulatory speech, and the venue of the opening ceremony

From the left, Professor Kaoru Yamanouchi, who made the address, Associate Dean of School of Science, Mr. Naoto Nikai, Ambassador of Japan to Chile, who made congratulatory address (read by Ms. Yamaguchi, Secretary), Mr. Fernando Comeron, ESO Chile representative and Ms. Sandra Berna, mayor of San Pedro

Commemorative picture of presenting a letter of appreciation (left). Professor Yuzuru Yoshii, the PI of TAO, shaking hands with Ms. Sandra Berna, mayor of San Pedro city (right).

At the facility tour that followed, we guided laboratories, accommodation rooms, a kitchen etc., and a spectacular view of the city of San Pedro and the mountain of Co. Chajnantor from the rooftop of the completed research building. The facility has an area of about 14,000 square meters as a whole, and in a convenient location with easy access to the city center of San Pedro city on foot. From the participants, there were voices of praise that it was a comfortable research building as well as high quality facility for research. For further information of an outline of construction and scenery of the Base Facility, please refer to the previous article "TAO Base Facility Close to Completion".

A group photo taken in front of the entrance of the TAO base facility

A lounge of TAO base facility (left) and the view from the rooftop (right)

In the evening celebration, a cuisine in the shape of the famous peak of San Pedro, “Licancabur” was served. We received many voices of celebration of the completion of the facility, as well as expectations for the completion of the TAO telescope.

Participants of the celebration

Chile and Japan culture exchange concert

Just before the opening ceremony on November 21, a concert by Orquesta AurorA, which is one of the young groups leading tango music in Japan, was held with inviting San Pedro citizens. 200 seats in the hall were fully occupied, with clapping and cheers; it was a great deal of excitement, and it was a good opportunity of interaction with local people.

Members of Orquesta AurorA performing lively (left), and a presentation of bouquets and a memorabilia from mayor of San Pedro city, Sandra Berna

The concert was filled with excitement with many participants, ranging from children to adults in San Pedro city.

On November 19, two days before the ceremony, TAO Science Workshop and a concert by Orquesta AurorA were held at Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile in Santiago, the capital of Chile. The concert was hosted by the Japanese embassy (cosponsored by the University of Tokyo) as a cultural exchange between Chile and Japan.

The Concert by Orquesta AurorA at the University of Catoica, organized by the Japanese Embassy (cosponsored by the University of Tokyo)

At the foot of Co. Chajnantor, ALMA observatory tour

On the next day of the ceremony on November 22, a tour was held to visit / observe the foot of Co. Chajnantor (5,000 m altitude), where the TAO site is located, and the ALMA observatory. We received admiration for the magnificent projects of TAO and ALMA, proceeding under the harsh environment in the local area.

A view of the altitude of 5000m with the ALMA antenna at the foot of Co. Chajnantor

Through a series of events including a ceremony in Chile, we recognized that the TAO project is important one for Japan and Chile, and confirmed that the two countries need to strengthen their unity and corporate further towards the realization of the TAO telescope with a diameter of 6.5 meters.

Inauguration ceremony of TAO Base Facility Program of the ceremony

Date and time: November 21, 2014 (Fri) 11:00-21:00 (local time)
Place: Republic of Chile, San Pedro de Atacama city, a public hall and a meeting place