The Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA)

Abstract

The Atacama Large Millimeter Array, or ALMA, is an international telescope project which will be built over the coming decade in Northern Chile. With over 7000 m^2 of collecting area comprised of 64 12m antennas arrayed over baselines up to 14 km in extent, ALMA will provide images of unprecedented clarity and detail. One revolutionary feature of ALMA will be its ability to combine interferometric and single telescope data, providing complete flux recovery. ALMA will cover a spectral wavelength range from 7mm to 0.3 mm or shorter wavelengths, providing astronomy with its first detailed look at the structures which emit millimeter and submillimeter photons, the most abundant photons in the Universe.