CTIO

CTIO stands for the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory. It is a prominent astronomical observatory located in the Chilean Andes, about 80 kilometers southeast of La Serena, Chile. Established in 1963, CTIO is a facility of the National Optical-Infrared Astronomy Research Laboratory (NOIRLab), which is funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation. The observatory's high-altitude location at 2,200 meters above sea level offers exceptionally clear skies and minimal light pollution, making it ideal for astronomical research.

CTIO hosts a variety of telescopes, including the 4-meter Victor M. Blanco Telescope, which has been instrumental in numerous discoveries, and the 1.5-meter telescope. It is also home to the Dark Energy Camera (DECam), a powerful instrument used for large-scale sky surveys. The observatory plays a crucial role in both U.S. and international astronomical research, providing access to Southern Hemisphere celestial objects that are not visible from observatories in the Northern Hemisphere. CTIO's scientific contributions span a wide range of astrophysical studies, from exoplanet detection to the study of distant galaxies and cosmology. The facility also engages in public outreach and education programs.