When the Cerro Paranal telescopes begin operation
in 2003, astronomers will be able to look further back in time than ever before.
The system, a 30-series chiller from McMinnville, Tennessee and two chillers from
Carrier SA in Montluel, France, is operated by digital Carrier Comfort Network controls.
The same Carrier Comfort Network also controls the heat exchanger that keeps the
oil in the dome's hydraulic system at the right temperature. The hydraulic system
moves the telescope and the 30-ton dome itself.
"There's an important difference between the astronomers and our Carrier system,"
says Silva. "The astronomers only work at night. The air conditioning works
always."