Top 10Updated 2026年3月16日
Top 10 Highest Operating Astronomical Observatories in the World
This ranking is based on the altitude (in meters) of operating astronomical observatories worldwide. High-altitude locations are ideal for infrared and submillimeter astronomy due to thinner atmosphere, low water vapor, and minimal light pollution. These facilities are primarily located in the Andes of Chile and the Tibetan Plateau.
Current #1
Atacama Cosmology Telescope (ACT)
Interesting Facts & Summary
The Race to the Summit
- Extreme Challenges: The Atacama Cosmology Telescope (ACT), ranked 1st, is situated on the Chajnantor Plateau at over 5,000 meters. Researchers face extreme hypoxia and freezing temperatures.
- Geographic Dominance: The list is dominated by the Atacama Desert in South America, known as the 'Mecca' for astronomy due to its hyper-arid climate.
- Technological Shift: With advancements, more submillimeter telescopes are being positioned at higher altitudes to capture faint signals from the early universe.
| Rank | Name | Altitude (m) | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
Atacama Cosmology Telescope (ACT) | 5190 | Chile | |
Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) | 5058 | Chile | |
Atacama Pathfinder Experiment (APEX) | 5058 | Chile | |
| 4 | Ali CMB Polarization Telescope | 5000 | China |
| 5 | Simons Observatory | 5000 | Chile |
| 6 | Atacama Submillimeter Telescope Experiment (ASTE) | 4864 | Chile |
| 7 | Mauna Kea Observatories | 4205 | USA, Hawaii |
| 8 | Gran Telescopio Canarias (GTC) | 2396 | Spain, La Palma |
| 9 | Paranal Observatory (VLT) | 2635 | Chile |
| 10 | Delingha Observatory | 3200 | China |
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