Atacama Large Millimeter Array
 The 7 metre radio telescopes at ALMA | |
| Alternative names | Atacama Large Millimeter and Submillimeter Array |
|---|---|
| Part of | Event Horizon Telescope Llano de Chajnantor Observatory  |
| Location(s) | Antofagasta Region, Chile |
| Coordinates | 23°01′9.42″S 67°45′11.44″W / 23.0192833°S 67.7531778°W |
| Organization | Multi-national |
| Altitude | 5,058.7 m (16597 ft) |
| Telescope style | at least 50 identical 12 m reflectors connected by fiber-optic cables |
| Website | Official ALMA site Official NRAO ALMA site Official ESO ALMA site Official NAOJ ALMA site |
  Location of Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array | |
The Atacama Large Millimeter/sub-millimeter Array (ALMA) is an array of radio telescopes in the Atacama Desert of northern Chile. A high and dry site is very important for millimeter wavelength work. ALMA is being built on the Chajnantor plateau at 5000 metres altitude. It will have 66 12-meter and 7-meter diameter radio telescopes observing at millimeter and sub-millimeter wavelengths. ALMA is expected to help scientists understand how stars were created during the early universe. It will also provide detailed imaging of local star and planet formation.
ALMA being built by Europe, the United States, Canada, East Asia and the Republic of Chile. Costing more than a billion US dollars,[1] it is the most expensive ground-based telescope currently under construction. ALMA began scientific observations in the second half of 2011 and the first images were released to the press on 3 October 2011. The project is should be fully operational by March 2013.
References
- ↑ Romero, Simon (7 April 2012). "At the End of the Earth, Seeking Clues to the Universe". New York Times. Retrieved 8 April 2012.
