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Construction Update

The lower enclosure for the calibration telescope

May 30, 2017

LSST Project / NSF / AURA

Construction Update

View from Calibration Hill after the first storm. Almost 16 inches of snow blanket the construction site.

May 15, 2017

Winter arrived on the summit of Cerro Pachón this week in the form of two significant snowstorms. The storms left behind a thick blanket of snow, which is impacting construction progress.

LSST Project / NSF / AURA

Construction Update

Continuous effort to complete the roof installation.

May 10, 2017

LSST Project / NSF / AURA

Construction Update

Besalco has begun installing the HD 408 roof panels.

April 27, 2017

LSST Project / NSF / AURA

Construction Update

Views of the calibration Telescope. According to Besalco's schedule, they will finish all of this job on May 15th

April 11, 2017

LSST Project / NSF / AURA

Construction Update

Stair installation on the outside of the lower enclosure.

April 6, 2017

LSST Project / NSF / AURA

Construction Update

The view from Calibration Hill.

March 17, 2017

LSST Project / NSF / AURA

Construction Progress

The seventh level gets flooring as seen from inside the lower enclosure.

March 15, 2017

LSST Project / NSF / AURA

Construction Update

400 cones that need to be installed in the top of the Pier.

March 3, 2017

LSST Project / NSF / AURA

Construction Update

The lower enclosure of the calibration telescope being formed and poured.

February 21, 2017

LSST Project / NSF / AURA

Construction Update

The dark blue steel being lifted into place by crane are the side rails & exterior support for the major equipment lift (Pflow). Taken by Safety Manger, Chuck Gessner, during a routine inspection of the site.

February 20, 2017

LSST Project / NSF / AURA

Progress seen from above

Taken from above by drone, this photo shows the elevator shaft, lower enclosure with the pier inside, and the (long rectangular) service building.

February 8, 2017

LSST Project / NSF / AURA

Construction Update

The concrete slab for the 750KVA Generator is in progress.

January 31, 2017

LSST Project / NSF / AURA

Construction Update

The steel structure that will support the siding has been installed on the lower enclosure and is now under inspection.

January 26, 2017

LSST Project / NSF / AURA

Construction Update

A view of the progress from the ramp.

January 24, 2017

LSST Project / NSF / AURA

Construction Update

Third Level, with the main facility crane of 60/10 tons in place.

January 6, 2017

LSST Project / NSF / AURA

Construction Update

Pictures of the building from the Calibration Summit.

December 27, 2016

LSST Project / NSF / AURA

Pflow drive components arrive on site.

Pflow drive components have been unloaded at the LSST site. Pflow Industries is producing a custom 80-ton vertical lift platform, designed to transport the mirror assemblies to and from the coating facilities. (12/06/16)

December 14, 2016

LSST Project / NSF / AURA

Construction Update

View from the access road.

December 8, 2016

LSST Project / NSF / AURA

Final Concrete pour to complete the lower enclosure.

Final Concrete pour to complete the lower enclosure.

November 18, 2016

LSST Project / NSF / AURA

Nov 16th Construction Update

Panorama of the view from the top of the Lower Enclosure.

November 16, 2016

LSST Project / NSF / AURA

Nov 3rd Construction Update

General views of the third level of the service building.

November 10, 2016

LSST Project / NSF / AURA

Construction Update

The view from Calibration Hill.

October 27, 2016

LSST Project / NSF / AURA

Integration has Begun!

EIE Plate preparation, 1 of 16 plates, to lift to the top of the lower enclosure. Each is 1.6 tons.

October 20, 2016

October 20, 2016 – The first LSST hardware integration between vendors took place today on Cerro Pachón, a major milestone! This image shows the lowering of a steel base plate for the dome azimuth track (from EIE in Italy) atop the concrete wall of the lower enclosure (from Besalco in Chile). This plate, the first of 16, weighs about one and a half tons and is lifted by crane over 50 feet in the air for installation. The plates and their anchor bolts will be installed and precisely aligned/level and then left for a curing period of 90 days. After that 3-month curing of the concrete, EIE will return to more precisely level and install grout under the base plates, which will provide the foundation for the continued integration of the dome azimuth track system.

LSST Project / NSF / AURA

September 29 Construction Update

View from the Calibration Hill

September 29, 2016

LSST Project / NSF / AURA

September 08 Construction Update

First pieces of steel structure on place, view from Calibration Hill.

September 9, 2016

LSST Project / NSF / AURA

July Construction Update

July 14, 2016 - Can really see the progress from the access road.

July 14, 2016

LSST Project / NSF / AURA

Preliminary drawing of the LSST Base Facility in La Serena, which will include office space for LSST, CTIO, SOAR, and AURA-O operations as well as the LSST Data Center in Chile. Remodeling of the existing structure and site preparation for the new construction will begin in July 2016. Image Credit: LSST Project Office

June

Base Facility in La Serena

Preliminary drawing of the LSST Base Facility in La Serena, which will include office space for LSST, CTIO, SOAR, and AURA-O operations as well as the LSST Data Center in Chile. Remodeling of the existing structure and site preparation for the new construction will begin in July 2016.

LSST Project Office

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June Construction Updates

June 2, 2016 - Bad whether conditions.

June 15, 2016

LSST Project / NSF / AURA

Construction Update

High concentration of work at the lower enclosure base and elevator shaft. Lower Enclosure, first 2.7 meters height of concrete H30 done. Pier, first 2.1 meters height of concrete H40 done. Second-level installation of molds begins.

May 24, 2016

LSST Project / NSF / AURA

Unloading of the three first Pflow containers

Unloading of the three first Pflow (Industrial equipment supplier) containers

May 17, 2016

LSST Project / NSF / AURA

Pouring concrete on the third level until axis G3

May

May 3, 2016

Pouring concrete on the third level until axis G3

LSST Project / NSF / AURA

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End of April 2016 Collection

Elevator shaft

April 24, 2016

LSST Project / NSF / AURA

End of March 2016

Chuck Gessner and Joe DeVries

March 28, 2016

LSST Project / NSF / AURA

Fourth Week of March 2016 Collection

Diesel tank arrival.

March 21, 2016

LSST Project / NSF / AURA

Concrete in the Pier Foundation / Monolith Pier Foundation Concluded

Concrete in the Pier Foundation / Monolith Pier Foundation Concluded

February 23, 2016

LSST Project / NSF / AURA

Concrete in the Pier Foundation / Next Morning February 23

Concrete in the Pier Foundation / General Views, we will finish today.

February 23, 2016

LSST Project / NSF / AURA

Concrete in the Pier Foundation / During the Night

Concrete in the Pier Foundation / During the Night - General Views

February 23, 2016

LSST Project / NSF / AURA

Concrete in the Pier Foundation / Shift change at sunset

255,5 mts3 of concrete during the day. During the night we expect 180~200 mts3

February 22, 2016

LSST Project / NSF / AURA

Concrete in the Pier Foundation / Morning of February 22th

Concrete in the Pier Foundation / Morning of February 22th General views of pouring concrete on the Pier foundation.

February 22, 2016

LSST Project / NSF / AURA

Second week of February 2016 Collection

Rebars installation in the Pier foundation.

February 9, 2016

LSST Project / NSF / AURA

First Week February 2016 Collection

Preparing the Pier excavation for the concrete leveling (emplantillado)

February 5, 2016

LSST Project / NSF / AURA

Fourth week of January 2016 Collection

Arcadis approves the excavation of Pier foundation, with minor restrictions to be resolved by Besalco. Next steep anchor bolt installation.

January 29, 2016

LSST Project / NSF / AURA

Third week of January 2016 Collection

Final preparation of the Pier excavation for Arcadis reception.

January 22, 2016

LSST Project / NSF / AURA

First week of January Collection

General Views

January 8, 2016

LSST Project / NSF / AURA

Third week of December Collection

Daily activities meeting before beginning the day.

December 21, 2015

LSST Project / NSF / AURA

Second week of December Collection

General views

December 11, 2015

LSST Project / NSF / AURA

A 1/4 panorama looking up the driveway and back to the rock that will be the foundation of the dome walls. The group is standing on 2 meters of temporary fill where the 80 ton lift will be installed.

November

LSST Construction site on Cerro Pachón

A 1/4 panorama looking up the driveway and back to the rock that will be the foundation of the dome walls. The group is standing on 2 meters of temporary fill where the 80 ton lift will be installed. Taken 11/05/2015

LSST Project Office

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a 1/4 panorama from the driveway from the summit down to the mirror entrance.

November

LSST Construction site on Cerro Pachón

A 1/4 panorama from the driveway from the summit down to the mirror entrance. Taken 11/05/2015

LSST Project Office

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Super detailed, high resolution cut-away render of the telescope model showing the inner workings. Zoom in on this one; it's worth a closer look.

November

Facility Cutaway

Super detailed, high resolution cut-away render of the telescope model showing the inner workings. Zoom in on this one; it's worth a closer look.

LSST Project/J. Andrew

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High resolution render of the facility model.

November

Facility Render

High resolution render of the facility model.

LSST Project/J. Andrew

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LSST structure is taking shape on Cerro Pachon: extraordinary photograph where the H30 concrete begins to cover the reinforcement steel in the main columns.

November

Main Columns Construction

LSST structure is taking shape on Cerro Pachon: extraordinary photograph where the H30 concrete begins to cover the reinforcement steel in the main columns.

LSST Project Office

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<a href="http://www.lsst.org/gallery/collection/lsst-first-stone-image-gallery">See the gallery</a>

April

LSST First Stone Image Collection

See the gallery

Gentileza Presidencia

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In this artist's rendition, the LSST primary mirror is seen through the slit of the dome at sunset. The LSST will carry out a deep, ten-year imaging survey in six broad optical bands over the main survey area of 18,000 square degrees.

February

Facilities Building at Sunset

In this artist's rendition, the LSST primary mirror is seen through the slit of the dome at sunset. The LSST will carry out a deep, ten-year imaging survey in six broad optical bands over the main survey area of 18,000 square degrees.

Todd Mason, Mason Productions Inc. / LSST Corporation

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Artist Conceptions

The Calypso telescope was relocated from Kitt Peak to NOAO headquarters in Tucson, AZ, in May of 2014.

May

Calypso Relocation

The Calypso telescope was relocated from Kitt Peak to NOAO headquarters in Tucson, AZ, in May of 2014.

LSST Project Office

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Calypso is loaded onto a truck on Kitt Peak for transport to NOAO in Tucson.

May

Calypso Relocation

Calypso is loaded onto a truck on Kitt Peak for transport to NOAO in Tucson.

LSST / Bill Schoening

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Trucks and a crane prepare to ascend Kitt Peak to pack up Calypso.

May

Calypso Relocation

Trucks and a crane prepare to ascend Kitt Peak to pack up Calypso.

LSST / Bill Schoening

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Calypso arrives at its interim home at NOAO in Tucson

May

Calypso Relocation

Calypso arrives at its interim home at NOAO in Tucson

LSST / Bill Schoening

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A 5-axle crane is backed down narrow road to the Calypso site.

May

Calypso Relocation

A 5-axle crane is backed down narrow road to the Calypso site.

LSST / Bill Schoening

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Calypso is bolted to the floor at NOAO in Tucson.

May

Calypso Relocation

Calypso is bolted to the floor at NOAO in Tucson.

LSST / Bill Schoening

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The crane arrives at the Calypso site.

May

Calypso Relocation

The crane arrives at the Calypso site.

LSST / Gary Poczulp

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Calypso in the high bay at NOAO

May

Calypso Relocation

Calypso in the high bay at NOAO

LSST / Bill Schoening

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A view of the horizon is seen from Calypso's observing platform.

May

Calypso Relocation

A view of the horizon is seen from Calypso's observing platform.

LSST / Gary Poczulp

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The Calypso mount is lowered from its platform onto flatbed truck.

May

Calypso Relocation

The Calypso mount is lowered from its platform onto flatbed truck.

LSST / Gary Poczulp

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Calypso is removed from its mount in preparation for transport to NOAO in Tucson.

May

Calypso Relocation

Calypso is removed from its mount in preparation for transport to NOAO in Tucson.

LSST / Gary Poczulp

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Calypso is lifted from its platform by a crane onto a flatbed truck.

May

Calypso Relocation

Calypso is lifted from its platform by a crane onto a flatbed truck.

LSST / Gary Poczulp

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The crane lowers Calypso onto a flatbed truck.

May

Calypso Relocation

The crane lowers Calypso onto a flatbed truck.

LSST / Gary Poczulp

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Calypso being loaded onto truck for transport

May

Calypso Relocation

Calypso being loaded onto truck for transport

LSST / Bill Schoening

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Calypso leaving Kitt Peak on a truck on its way to NOAO in Tucson.

May

Calypso Relocation

Calypso leaving Kitt Peak on a truck on its way to NOAO in Tucson.

LSST / Gary Poczulp

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Two renderings combine to create this image of the LSST summit facility and Calypso, the small adjacent telescope which will be used to monitor the atmosphere.

April

LSST and Calypso

Two renderings combine to create this image of the LSST summit facility and Calypso, the small adjacent telescope which will be used to monitor the atmosphere.

LSST Project Office

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Site leveling activities took place on the El Peñón summit of Cerro Pachón in preparation for the LSST. This image shows blast number 20 in April 2011.

April

Blast #20 April 2011

Site leveling activities took place on the El Peñón summit of Cerro Pachón in preparation for the LSST. This image shows blast number 20 in April 2011.

C. Claver, NOAO / LSST

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A photograph and a baseline design rendering mix, showing a view of the exterior building from the road leading up to the site.

March

The LSST Facility 2007

A photograph and a baseline design rendering mix, showing a view of the exterior building from the road leading up to the site.

LSST Project Office

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A photograph and a rendering mix, showing a view of the LSST facility from the road leading up to the site at night.

March

The LSST Facility at Night 2011

A photograph and a rendering mix, showing a view of the LSST facility from the road leading up to the site at night.

LSST Project Office

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A combination of two renderings, showing the LSST Facility on the El Peñón summit.

March

The LSST Facility 2011

A combination of two renderings, showing the LSST Facility on the El Peñón summit.

LSST Project Office

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A photograph and a rendering mix of the exterior of the building showing the dome open and road leading away from the site.

March

The LSST Facility 2011

A photograph and a rendering mix of the exterior of the building showing the dome open and road leading away from the site.

LSST Project Office

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A combination of two renderings, showing the LSST Facility on the El Peñón summit.

March

The LSST Facility 2011

A combination of two renderings, showing the LSST Facility on the El Peñón summit.

LSST Project Office

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From Santiago it is a 50 minute flight to La Serena and a 1.5 hour drive to Cerro Pachón.

January

Location of LSST

From Santiago it is a 50 minute flight to La Serena and a 1.5 hour drive to Cerro Pachón.

LSST Project Office / NOAO

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LSST shares the Cerro Pachón ridge with the 8.1-m Gemini south (foreground) and 4.2-m SOAR telescopes.

December

LSST Neighbors

LSST shares the Cerro Pachón ridge with the 8.1-m Gemini south (foreground) and 4.2-m SOAR telescopes.

LSST Project Office

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A panoramic view of the Cerro Pachón ridge in northern Chile. El Peñón, a 8,800-foot (2,682-meter) mountain peak (foreground), is the site for the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope. SOAR and Gemini South can be seen in the background.

December

Panaramic view of Cerro Pachón

A panoramic view of the Cerro Pachón ridge in northern Chile. El Peñón, a 8,800-foot (2,682-meter) mountain peak (foreground), is the site for the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope. SOAR and Gemini South can be seen in the background.

V. Krabbendam and C. Claver, NOAO / LSST

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This view of the full ridge of Cerro Pachón shows the site where the LSST is being constructed on El Peñón. Cerro Pachón is already home to the Gemini South 8-meter telescope and the SOAR 4.1-meter telescope.

December

Cerro Pachón Ridge

This view of the full ridge of Cerro Pachón shows the site where the LSST is being constructed on El Peñón. Cerro Pachón is already home to the Gemini South 8-meter telescope and the SOAR 4.1-meter telescope.

C. Claver, NOAO / LSST

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The LSST Summit Facility will be located on the Cerro Pachón ridge in north-central Chilé. The entire Cerro Pachón area, including the proposed LSST site and the existing Gemini-south and SOAR telescopes, is within a tract of land owned by AURA Inc. The telescope sites are inland and approximately 100 km by road from the support town of La Serena, proposed location of the LSST Base Facility.

December

AURA Map

The LSST Summit Facility will be located on the Cerro Pachón ridge in north-central Chilé. The entire Cerro Pachón area, including the proposed LSST site and the existing Gemini-south and SOAR telescopes, is within a tract of land owned by AURA Inc. The telescope sites are inland and approximately 100 km by road from the support town of La Serena, proposed location of the LSST Base Facility.

LSST Project Office

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The El Peñón summit, site for the LSST, viewed in silhouette at dusk.

December

El Peñón Sunset

The El Peñón summit, site for the LSST, viewed in silhouette at dusk.

C. Claver, LSST Project Office

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Victor Krabbendam looks at El Peñón Peak on Cerro Pachón where the LSST will be located. This view is from the hill for the atmospheric telescope and annotations have been added to the image to show where the hill will be cut and where the telescope on its concrete pier will eventually be located.

December

Victor Krabbendam looks at El Peñón Peak

Victor Krabbendam looks at El Peñón Peak on Cerro Pachón where the LSST will be located. This view is from the hill for the atmospheric telescope and annotations have been added to the image to show where the hill will be cut and where the telescope on its concrete pier will eventually be located.

LSST Project Office

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Financial support for Rubin Observatory comes from the National Science Foundation (NSF) through Cooperative Agreement No. 1258333, the Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science under Contract No. DE-AC02-76SF00515, and private funding raised by the LSST Corporation. The NSF-funded Rubin Observatory Project Office for construction was established as an operating center under management of the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA). The DOE-funded effort to build the Rubin Observatory LSST Camera (LSSTCam) is managed by the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory (SLAC).
The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency created by Congress in 1950 to promote the progress of science. NSF supports basic research and people to create knowledge that transforms the future.
NSF and DOE will continue to support Rubin Observatory in its Operations phase. They will also provide support for scientific research with LSST data.

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