The Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), an international partnership of Europe, North America and East Asia in cooperation with the Republic of Chile, is the largest astronomical project in existence. ALMA observes the Universe at millimeter and submillimeter wavelengths, where most of the hydrogen in the Universe resides. These wavelengths are key to understanding how stars and galaxies form and evolve.
ALMA consists of 66 high-precision antennas located on a remote plateau in northern Chile, at an altitude of 5,000 meters. The array has been operational since 2013 and has made some stunning discoveries, such as detecting for the first time light from a newborn planet orbiting a young star.
In order to maximize its scientific potential, ALMA is constantly being upgraded. For example, in 2018 four new 12-meter antennas were added to extend ALMA’s ability to image faint targets. And plans are underway to add even more antennas, as well as upgrade existing ones. Ultimately, ALMA will consist of over 100 antennas working together as a single telescope — making it by far the most powerful millimeter/submillimeter telescope ever built!