{"id":406,"date":"2018-03-23T21:11:32","date_gmt":"2018-03-23T21:11:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.krieger.jhu.edu\/class\/?page_id=406"},"modified":"2024-03-22T13:10:28","modified_gmt":"2024-03-22T17:10:28","slug":"survey","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/sites.krieger.jhu.edu\/class\/survey\/","title":{"rendered":"Survey"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The CLASS Path to Chile <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"CLASSmap\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The CLASS telescopes are assembled and tested at Johns Hopkins University in the Department of Physics and Astronomy high bay (Step 1 in figure). After a telescope passes all the tests, it is carefully dismantled and packed into several shipping containers<\/a>, which are loaded on trucks and driven to the port of Baltimore<\/a> (Step 2 in figure). The containers then travel by sea through the Panama Canal<\/a> to the port of Iquique<\/a> in northern Chile (Step 3 in figure). Finally trucks take the containers to the site (Step 4 in figure). The total trip takes 5-6 weeks.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The CLASS High and Dry Site <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

CLASS observes from a site located high in the Andes of Northern Chile at an elevation of 5,200 m (17,000 ft). The latitude and longitude of the site are 22\u00b057\u203235\u2033S and 67\u00b047\u203214\u2033W<\/a>. It is in the Atacama Desert, one of the driest places on Earth. Locating CLASS at a high and dry site is important for limiting the negative impacts of microwave emission from water and oxygen molecules in the atmosphere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The CLASS site is 40 km from the nearest town, San Pedro de Atacama. Therefore the site is fully self-sufficient, with its own diesel generators, conduit for power and data, a control room, a laboratory, and a machine shop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2014 geotechnical and civil engineering studies were carried out to design the telescope foundations. Pits were dug for the foundations and concrete poured on to a reinforcing mesh of iron bars. (See photos.) An archaeologist oversaw the site construction to ensure that no items of paleontological or cultural value were affected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While scientists and engineers work at the high and dry site during the day for maintenance, the team sleeps in the town of San Pedro de Atacama (elevation 2,400 m or 8,000 ft). Data is transmitted from the telescope to our office in San Pedro by a 40 km radio link. This link is also used for sending commands to the telescope.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"CLASS<\/a>
CLASS is located in the Atacama Desert of northern Chile, near the borders of Argentina and Bolivia.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"CLASS<\/a>
Ground is broken for the CLASS telescope foundations (February 2015) – click to enlarge.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"CLASS<\/a>
The finished CLASS telescope foundations. The iron ring of bolts in the foundation secures the telescope base (June 2015).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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