A huge observation tower under construction in the heart of the Amazon basin is nearing completion. The Amazon Tall Tower Observatory rises 325m from the ground, making it 24m taller than the Eiffel Tower.
The Amazon Tall Tower Observatory rises out of the Amazon rainforestBruno Kelly/Reuters
The remote site is far from any human presence, about 170km from the city of Manaus.
It is a joint project of Brazil's National Institute of Amazonian Research and Germany's Max Planck Institute. When operational in July, it will be equipped with hi-tech instruments and an observatory to monitor relationships between the jungle and the atmosphere, gathering data on heat, water, carbon gas, winds, cloud formation and weather patterns.
A worker paints the Amazon Tall Tower ObservatoryBruno Kelly/ReutersResearchers start the huge climb up the Amazon Tall Tower ObservatoryBruno Kelly/ReutersDon't look down! The forest canopy is seen far below during the climb up the towerBruno Kelly/ReutersA worker monitors instruments on the Amazon Tall Tower ObservatoryBruno Kelly/ReutersThe view over the rainforest from the Amazon Tall Tower ObservatoryBruno Kelly/ReutersThe Amazon Tall Tower Observatory is pictured during sunset in Sao Sebastiao do Uatuma in the middle of the AmazonBruno Kelly/ReutersThe clear night sky is seen behind the Amazon Tall Tower ObservatoryBruno Kelly/Reuters
