ESOcast 36: ALMA Opens Its Eyes

The most complex ground-based astronomy observatory in the world, the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), has officially opened for astronomers. The first released image, from a telescope still under construction, reveals a view of the Universe that cannot be seen at all by visible-light and infrared telescopes.

[joelchummel]

100 projects over the first 9 months! 900 applications to use it. Wow! I can't wait to see some of the results. Long live ALMA!

[Graeme_Lastname]

I noticed three different designs of antenna and would like some more information about that.

[jasondreager]

Good words man. I can say I agree with you 100%. Can you imagine where we would be if we spent money on furthering space exploration instead of beating the living shit out of each other?

[steaksaretasty]

I don't think it's necessary. The reason to have more antennas is to increase light gathering ability, but they all will look at the same small part of the sky at the same time. So, whether it is 10 meters or 5 km away from each other doesn't really matter.

[lifesavrdwd]

Instead of spending millions of dollars killing each other I wished we spent the money exploring the space we find ourselves in. I am sure the people we are killing wish the same.

[RinaldiMeteoric]

I've a question. Shouldn't the antennas be spread evenly across the area and symmetrical?
Thank you very much.

[oker]

I thought they had fully assembled this; maybe this is an old video! They need to relive Alma!

[jasondreager]

no disrespect man in anyway, but I'm assuming the guy above meant "People in general"