Welcome to our Website!
LCO has modified its protocols according to the releases by the WHO and the Chilean Ministry of Health, therefore we have decided to eliminate most of our restrictions for both Chileans and international visitors, maintaining only preventive measures for internal staff, according to our current legal regulations. It should be noted that Chile maintains the Alerta Sanitaria, nominally until 31 August 2023. All astronomers awarded telescope time at LCO are welcome to return to site for in situ observations and we have removed any required isolation periods. Other technical and scientific visits are also possible pending Director authorization of a written plan of activities.
If you have any comments or feedback about our website, please send an email to contacto@lco.cl.
Las Campanas Observatory
The Las Campanas Observatory is located at a superb site high in the southern reaches of Chile’s Atacama Desert, and was established in 1969 to be home to both 40-inch and 100-inch reflecting telescopes. The newest additions here, twin 6.5-meter reflectors, are remarkable members of the latest generation of giant telescopes. The future of Las Campanas Observatory will be marked by the construction of the Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT), an extremely large telescope that, with seven segmented mirrors, will be 80 feet in diameter. LCO is part of the Astronomy & Astrophysics division of the Carnegie Institution for Science.
Carnegie Astronomy & Astrophysics
The history of 20th century astronomy is inextricably linked to the Carnegie Observatories. From the revelation of the universe’s expansion to the discovery of dark energy, Carnegie Observatories scientists have transformed humankind’s understanding of the cosmos. The groundbreaking work continues today at our world-famous Las Campanas Observatory in Chile, home to the twin Magellan telescopes, and site of the future Giant Magellan Telescope. Carnegie scientists are still at the vanguard of research on galaxy formation and evolution, the chemical evolution of stars and planets, stellar variability, supernovae, and more.
Latest articles and news
Astronomers observe a star absorbing an exoplanet for the first time
For the first time in history, scientists observed a dying star swallowing a planet, according to a publication in the journal Nature. Several telescopes were used in the investigation, including LCO’s Magellan twins.
LabMóvil arrives in Antofagasta to participate in Puerto de Ideas
For the third consecutive year, LCO was part of the Science Walk of the Puerto de Ideas Festival, which takes place every year during April in Antofagasta, Chile. More than 7,000 people participated in this version.
Visit our Youtube Channel and watch “Navegantes del Cielo Austral” and all our audiovisual productions, including outreach talks.