Building the world's most ambitious observatory at 5,000 metres above sea level

High in the Chilean Andes, engineers are assembling the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array. This massive project, known as ALMA, will eventually link 66 antennas to observe the cold universe with unprecedented clarity.

Located on the Chajnantor plateau, ALMA represents a significant leap in astronomical capability. By operating at an extreme altitude of 5,000 metres, the array minimizes atmospheric interference, allowing researchers to capture data from the coldest regions of space.

The project relies on the synchronized movement of its 66 antennas to function as a single, giant instrument. This collaborative engineering effort aims to provide astronomers with a new level of detail when studying the origins and evolution of the cold universe.

Source: ESOcast 17: Constructing ALMA — The World's Largest Observatory