ALMA: Atacama Large Millimeter Submillimeter Array

Focused on exploring the darkest, coldest, most distant, regions of space to develop a deeper understanding of the origins of our universe.

The Atacama Large Millimeter Submillimeter Array (ALMA) is a forefront astronomy facility in northern Chile. ALMA is at an altitude of 5,050 meters and consists of an 11-mile-wide interferometric imaging array of 54, 12-meter dish antennas and a compact array of 12, 7-meter antennas.

AUI proposed the creation of ALMA

And led efforts in the design, construction, management, and operation of the resulting facilities. AUI maintains offices in Chile and US dedicated to our continued support and management.

ALMA Discoveries

ALMA began early science operations in September 2011 and has led to several important discoveries including the first detailed images of a planet forming disc around the young star HL Tau.

ALMA also played a significant role through the Event Horizon Telescope Project on the creation of the first images of a supermassive black hole and its shadow. ALMA explores the Universe in millimeter and submillimeter-wavelengths with unprecedented sensitivity, resolution, and imaging capability. In cooperation with the Republic of Chile, ALMA is a major international partnership of North America, Europe, and East Asia.

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1st

Images of Planet Forming Disc

1st

Images of Super Massive Black Hole

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