Where is Cerro Tololo?
Cerro Tolol
o Inter-American Observatory (CTIO) in north central Chile. Cerro Tololo is located east of the city of La Serena on the Pacific Coast of Chile. and east of the town of Vicuna. CTIO is located on top of two mountains in the Chilean Andes; Cerro Tololo, which is 7,200 feet (2,200 meters) high, and Cerro Pachon, which is 8,900 feet (2,700 meters) high. Both mountains are about 285 miles (460 km) north of Santiago and 50 miles (80 km) inland from the coastal city of La Serena. The telescope is operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) and funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) through the National Observational Astronomy organization (NOAO).
CTIO is home to many telescopes.
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Life on the Mountain
Dorms (and kitchen)
The facilities at the summit provide meals and lodging for astronomers and staff.
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Critters
A few different animals can occasionally be seen at the mountaintop.
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Other Telescopes on site
