Starry Skies at Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory

Breathtaking observatory panorama showcases the Milky Way

This breathtaking panorama, captured by Hernan Stockebrand, showcases the pristine skies at the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory (CTIO). CTIO, a program of NSF’s NOIRLab, is a complex of astronomical telescopes and instruments in the Chilean Andes. CTIO’s mountainous surroundings and altitude — the site is 2200 meters (7200 feet) above sea level — ensure the mountaintop observatory enjoys spectacular night skies. This colorful panorama shows the arch of the Milky Way hanging above the observatory facilities, as well as strands of low clouds illuminated by the Moon, which is visible on the right side of the image.

At the center of this image is the Víctor M. Blanco 4-meter Telescope, with the SMARTS 1.5-meter Telescope to the right and the SMARTS 0.9-meter Telescope at far right. To the left of the Víctor M. Blanco Telescope is the 0.9-meter Curtis Schmidt Telescope and the SMARTS 1.0-meter Telescope farther to the left.