TIGO observatory, Concepcion, Chile ???

[gary]

This document from the Geodetic Observatory Weitzel in Germany describes
the work it does in conjunction with what is known as the Transportable
Integrated Geodetic Observatory (TIGO) which is apparently based in
Concepcion, Chile.

See http://www.bkg.bund.de/SharedDocs/Download/EN_20-_20InfoMaterial/BKG-Geodetic-Observatory-Wettzell-Brochure-EN,templateId=raw,property=publicat ionFile.pdf/BKG-Geodetic-Observatory-Wettzell-Brochure-EN.pdf

As the above document states, apparently the observatories ...



The observatories use radiotelescopes and laser ranging instruments.
See http://www.fs.wettzell.de/tigo/e/tigo_e/tigo_e.html



In light of the story which appeared today which states that the earth's axis
will have shifted an extremely tiny amount as a result of the earthquake in Chile
(see http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=57763)
then it is ironic that one of the observatories involved with this sort of work
is in Concepcion itself, not far from the epicenter.

As communications are down in Concepcion, the TIGO observatories web site appears
not to respond - http://www.tigo.cl

With the enormous devastation in Concepcion, I can only guess it might be some
time before we learn the fate of this particular observatory.

[Rob_K]

Interesting stuff Gary! :thumbsup: Re some other observatories in Chile:
http://www.gemini.edu/node/11415
http://www.eso.org/public/events/announcements/ann1010/index.html

Cheers -

[gary]

Hi Rob,

Thanks for the links.

It is no accident that some of the best places in the world to observe
from happen to lay on geologically active fault lines.

Had hoped to get to Chile this year and but have postponed the trip.

A lot of people's lives there must be extremely tough at the moment.