LOCATION
The POLARBEAR experiment is operated at the James Ax Observatory in the Chajnantor scientific reserve (Northern Chile) at an altitude of nearly 5200 m, which makes POLARBEAR one of the highest astronomical observatory in the world. Our colleagues from the ACT experiment are our neighbours.
WHY CHILE?
Despite this site is highly inhospitable to humans, it is recognized as one of the best in the world for millimeter and submillimeter astronomy because of its dry climate which minimizes the absorbtion and attenuation of mm radiation by atmospheric water vapour.
SITE OWNERSHIP
The site belongs to the state of Chile and is leased to the collaboration. The site is maintained by CONICYT, Chile's National Comission for Scientific and Technological Research. The POLARBEAR experiment would not be possible without the collaboration and hard work of CONICYT.