The Atacama Large Millimeter Array Explores the Cold Universe
The Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA) is a world-class astronomical facility located in the Atacama Desert, Chile. This unique instrument captures radiation in the millimeter and submillimeter range, enabling it to investigate regions of space that optical telescopes cannot perceive, such as dense clouds of dust and cold gas. Its strategic location at over 5,000 meters above sea level is crucial for obtaining clear data. 🔭
A Revolutionary Interferometric Design
ALMA's power lies in its configuration of 66 high-precision antennas that can be physically redistributed across the Chajnantor plateau. This flexibility allows scientists to adjust the resolution of observations according to their needs. The signals from all antennas are combined using interferometry techniques, functioning as a single telescope of variable size. A correlator, a specialized supercomputer, processes this information to generate detailed scientific results.
Key Technical Features:- 66 mobile antennas: They move on platforms to modify the array configuration.
- Interferometry: Combines signals to simulate a large-diameter telescope.
- Correlator: Processes the petabytes of data produced by the antennas in real time.
ALMA does not see light, it listens to the cold whisper of the universe, revealing what is hidden from our eyes.
Discovering Cosmic Origins
ALMA's main work is to investigate the basic components of cosmic systems. It has provided unprecedented images of protoplanetary disks, showing how planets form around young stars. Additionally, it analyzes the chemical composition of distant interstellar clouds, where it identifies complex organic molecules precursors to life. Its observations also illuminate processes in the cores of active galaxies and the evolution of the first galaxies.
Main Areas of Study:- Planet Formation: Detailed images of dust and gas disks around stars.
- Interstellar Chemistry: Detecting and mapping molecules in cold space clouds.
- Galactic Evolution: Understanding mechanisms in distant and active galaxies.
A Global Project in the Andean Heights
ALMA is the result of an international collaboration