Galaxy Tibet YBJ Observatory

High on the Tibetan plateau at 4,300 metres above sea level, the Galaxy Tibet YBJ Observatory is part of the Yangbajing Cosmic Ray Laboratory, one of the highest-altitude astrophysics research sites in the world.

About Galaxy Tibet YBJ Observatory

The site hosts the ARGO-YBJ experiment (Astrophysical Radiation Ground-based Observatory at YangBaJing), a Sino-Italian collaboration that began operating in 2006 to study very high energy gamma-ray astronomy and cosmic rays in the northern hemisphere. Its central detector carpet covers around 5,500 square metres, and the observatory's work spans cosmic ray research, sub-TeV gamma-ray sources and GeV gamma-ray burst emission. It forms part of the Yangbajing Cosmic Ray National Field Scientific Observatory, recognised by China's Ministry of Science and Technology.

Telescopes & research

Rather than optical telescopes, the site uses a large ground-based particle detector array to catch the secondary particle showers produced when cosmic rays and gamma rays strike the upper atmosphere, a technique suited to the thin air and high altitude of the plateau.

Location & getting there

Galaxy Tibet YBJ Observatory is located in the Tibet region of China, at extreme altitude, and is primarily a research facility rather than a public visitor site.

See your named star from here

Cosmic rays and gamma rays are invisible to the eye, but the stars they came from are not. If you've named a star, you can find its exact coordinates in our catalogue and look for it with an ordinary telescope, wherever you are.