ALMA proyect: Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array

The ALMA science complex, when fully complete in March, will feature 66 high-precision antennae that will explore the universe from the plateau of Chajnantor, located 5,000 meters above sea level in Northern Chile, 34 km outside of San Pedro de Atacama.

Once operating at its full capacity in late 2013, ALMA will have 100 times more sensitivity and spectral resolution than its predecessors in the millimeter/submillimeter field. In fact, even while only operating at 25 percent of its full capacity, ALMA has already been used to make significant discoveries, including the finding of sugar molecules in a distant star similar to our sun.

This unprecedented project, which involves the collaboration of 20 countries in Europe, North America and Asia, signifies a new era for astronomy research. Scientists will be able to see darker, colder, and denser regions of the cosmos thanks to ALMA’s powerful antenna array. ALMA’s 66 antennae act as a single telescope with a 16 km diameter.

This will be a huge opportunity for this country to be known and recognized for something good and important in the world.