Gerard M. Foley

Travel & Photography Collection

Cerro Tololo

The following day the ship called at Coquimbo, where I took a tour bus to go up to the Cerro Tololo observatory.

On the way to the Elqui Valley we passed this modern water tower, decorated in the style of the ancient inhabitants of the area.

On the way to the Elqui Valley we passed this modern water tower, decorated in the style of the ancient inhabitants of the area.
On the way to the Elqui Valley we passed this modern water tower, decorated in the style of the ancient inhabitants of the area.
The Elqui Valley is irrigated by water from the Andes, partly carried by canals built by the Incas.
The Elqui Valley is irrigated by water from the Andes, partly carried by canals built by the Incas.
The road, whose only function seems to be access to Cerro Tololo and to the nearby Gemini South telescopes, is quite steep.
The road, whose only function seems to be access to Cerro Tololo and to the nearby Gemini South telescopes, is quite steep.
The towers for the four meter and one and a half meter telescopes, along with other smaller ones, are at the highest point in the neighborhood.
The towers for the four meter and one and a half meter telescopes, along with other smaller ones, are at the highest point in the neighborhood.
We were first shown the 1.5 meter (60 inch) telescope.
We were first shown the 1.5 meter (60 inch) telescope.
Here are the controls for the dome and OTA.
Here are the controls for the dome and OTA.
The crane is used in maintenance and the target to adjust instruments.
The crane is used in maintenance and the target to adjust instruments.
Near the 1.5 meter telescope is the 4 meter telescope, the observatory's largest.
Near the 1.5 meter telescope is the 4 meter telescope, the observatory's largest.
A view of the 4 meter telescope.
A view of the 4 meter telescope.
Returning down the mountain (good brakes!) we saw the site of the Gemini South telescope. This 8 meter telescope, closed to casual visitors, is the twin to Gemini North in Hawaii.
Returning down the mountain (good brakes!) we saw the site of the Gemini South telescope. This 8 meter telescope, closed to casual visitors, is the twin to Gemini North in Hawaii.
Before our return to Amsterdam we stopped for a generous lunch, with local wine and other beverages, alcoholic and non-alcoholic.
Before our return to Amsterdam we stopped for a generous lunch, with local wine and other beverages, alcoholic and non-alcoholic.