Large Atacama Telescope (LAT) project

Abstract

We discuss plans for the construction of a 15-m class telescope located in the high Atacama desert of Northern Chile. The baseline concept is a segmented mirror telescope optimized for operation at wavelengths longer than 3.5 microns but capable of working at shorter wavelengths. An adaptive secondary will be used to achieve diffraction limited imaging while maintaining low emissivity. The facility will be designed for eventual remote/robotic operation and include a number of instruments designed to take advantage of the low precipitable water vapor and good seeing conditions.