A new infrared telescope developed by the University of Tokyo will be set up at the Atacama Observatory in Chile -- known as the world's highest altitude observatory.
The ground-based telescope measures 6-1/2 meters in diameter and 15 meters in height, and is a high-level telescope in the world for observing infrared rays from outer space.
The telescope was unveiled to the media on Jan. 28 at a factory in Harima, Hyogo Prefecture, where it was assembled.
The observatory is located at the summit of 5,640-meter Mt. Chajnantor. Because it is located at such high altitude, where there is less infrared-absorbing moisture, researchers are able to observe infrared rays at wavelengths that would otherwise be impossible to observe on the ground.
At the location, the new telescope will be able to observe infrared rays coming from between eight and 13 billion light years away from the Earth -- offering hope about discovering galaxy formations.
Infrared telescopes are also able to observe space dust, meaning researchers will also study the process of how this matter goes on to form planets.
The University of Tokyo team that developed the telescope is scheduled to transport it from Japan to Chile this summer, with the aim of starting observations in the first half of 2019.
"We want to open the way for a new understanding of the universe by using this new telescope," said University of Tokyo Prof. Takashi Miyata, who managed the project.
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