Cerro ArmazonesCerro Armazones at a Glance
About Cerro Armazones
Cerro Armazones is a mountain in Chile’s Antofagasta Region that was selected as the site for the European Southern Observatory’s Extremely Large Telescope. The peak and its immediate surroundings have been developed to support installation and construction work for the observatory.
The mountain’s summit offers a dry, high-altitude environment favourable for astronomical observation, and its ridge-top location places it near existing observatory infrastructure. The site selection reflects its stable atmospheric conditions and low humidity.
The site was formally chosen by ESO for the ELT project and preparatory work and road access have been implemented to support construction. The project has made the location prominent in contemporary astronomy planning.
Cerro Armazones stands in the Atacama Desert region of northern Chile, near the Paranal Observatory and within the Antofagasta administrative region, on the coastal plateau above the Atacama.
- ELT site: Selected by the European Southern Observatory as the site for the 39-metre Extremely Large Telescope, the summit now hosts infrastructure and access roads built for that project.
Best Time to Visit Cerro Armazones
Best visited during clear, dry months (southern winter) when visibility is greatest-access is often restricted because of telescope construction and operations.
Weather & Climate near Cerro Armazones
Cerro Armazones's climate is classified as Cold Desert - Cold Desert climate with cool summers (peaking in January) and cold winters (coldest in June). Temperatures range from 1°C to 20°C. Very dry conditions with minimal rainfall with a pronounced dry season.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | 6° - 20° | 13° | 0 mm | - | - | 5.4 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | 6° - 20° | 13° | 1 mm | - | - | 4.9 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | 5° - 19° | 12° | 0 mm | - | - | 5.0 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | 4° - 19° | 11° | 0 mm | - | - | 5.0 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 3° - 17° | 7° | 1 mm | - | - | 5.3 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 1° - 15° | 5° | 0 mm | - | - | 5.6 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 1° - 15° | 5° | 1 mm | - | - | 5.6 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 1° - 16° | 6° | 0 mm | - | - | 5.2 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 3° - 17° | 7° | 0 mm | - | - | 5.3 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 4° - 18° | 11° | 0 mm | - | - | 5.2 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | 5° - 19° | 12° | 0 mm | - | - | 5.2 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | 6° - 20° | 13° | 0 mm | - | - | 5.6 m/s | - | - |
How to Get to Cerro Armazones
Nearest service center is Antofagasta; access to the mountain requires organized transport from Antofagasta or Calama and, often, permissions because of observatory operations.
Tips for Visiting Cerro Armazones
- There is no public road to the summit; visits are typically by special permission or organized scientific trips-check with Chile's astronomy authorities if seeking access.
- If photographing the plateau, plan for strong, dry sunlight and invest in a good UV filter-altitude and desert glare are intense.