explora in Atacama, Chile Announces World’s Largest Astronomical Project

explora Atacama’s observatory in Chile has announced the launching of ALMA (Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array), a collaboration between Europe, North America, Japan and Chile that started operating in March as the largest radio astronomy observatory and the world’s most expensive ground based telescope.

The explora team established itself in the Atacama Desert with the opening of a landmark lodge, explora Atacama’s Hotel de Larache, 14 years ago, and more recently its own observatory, providing guests with an opportunity to view the universe. The area’s minimal light pollution and radio interference, the high altitude and an almost cloudless climate are said to make the Atacama Desert one of the best locations for astronomy in the southern hemisphere.

The hotel’s dome-shaped observatory features a Meade 16” f/10 LX200R Advanced RD telescope, enabling guests to experience a view of the moon, stars, constellations and galaxies. Stargazing at explora Atacama’s Hotel de Larache, however, may also be enjoyed by guests via the saddle of a horse, or from the vantage point of simply walking.