IN SEARCH OF OUR COSMIC ORIGINSThe Construction of the
Atacama Large Millimeter / submillimeter Array

The Construction of the Atacama Large Millimeter / submillimeter Array

IN SEARCH OF
OUR COSMIC ORIGINSThis photo book, composed for the occasion of the ALMA inauguration, presents the various
phases in the conception and birth of a unique astronomical project: the Atacama Large
Millimeter/submillimeter Array.
Originating in the eighties from three independent projects in three different regions (North America, Japan, Europe), and converging in the nineties towards one project, ALMA became a truly
joint effort in the first years of the new millennium. The combination of the high-tech know-how,
Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)

budgetary resources and organizational strengths of the three regions, directed by a strong andshared vision for future astronomical endeavors, made a solid basis for the realization of this large
and very complex astronomical observatory. After 10 years of construction, the ALMA interferometer is now the largest and highest ground-based observatory.
In the three decades of preparing and constructing ALMA, millimeter/submillimeter astronomy
itself and its associated instrumentation evolved at an incredible rate. From the successful investigations with space observatories and 8- and 10-meter-class ground-based optical telescopes,
the need for an equivalent sensitivity and resolution in the submillimeter wavelength range
became compelling. Leap frog developments in a wide range of technologies enabled the astronomical community to set continuously higher goals than initially advertized and thus keeping

Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)

ALMA competitive. Following several independent and joint site-testing campaigns, Chile’s excellent observatory sites — already home to optical and infrared telescopes — emerged as theworld’s best for submillimeter observations too.
Developing methods to overcome the impact on equipment and staff of the high-altitude
location and environment, and pushing the technologies to extremes to meet the accuracies
required for high-frequency heterodyne operations, are just a few examples of what was required to make ALMA a success. The first results observatory have been a clear demonstration of
ALMA’s transformational science. Another challenge was to collaborate in teams with such a variety of social backgrounds and cultures, sometimes in widely different environments, with nightand daytime overlapping, while summer and winter merged. This required a strongly motivatedand enthusiastic staff. Several of these challenges are beautifully and poignantly captured in thisphoto book.
The inauguration milestone, now reached, is a demonstration that all these difficulties can be,
and have been, overcome. We are proud to be part of this. This is worth a celebration.
Thijs de Graauw
ALMA Director

1.
ALMA, the World - changing Telescope
How are galaxies formed and how do they evolve? How are stars formed? What are thenecessary conditions for the formation of a “second Earth”? The Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array, or ALMA, is now in operation on the Chajnantor Plateau in northern Chile, andwill help to unravel these long-standing mysteries in astronomy. ALMA’s unprecedented sensitivity
and resolution will greatly improve to our understanding of the Universe.
ALMA involves 66 high-precision antennas, ultra-low-noise receivers, powerful supercomputers
and many other high-technology components to detect faint light with millimeter and submillimeter wavelengths. This light comes from cold clouds in interstellar space, at temperatures only
a few tens of degrees above absolute zero, and from some of the earliest and most distant galaxies in the Universe. Millimeter and submillimeter waves are easily absorbed by water vapor in
the Earth’s atmosphere, but the thin and dry air of the Chajnantor Plateau, at an altitude of 5,000
meters above sea level, provides a perfect window for these waves.
To make this revolutionary but complex telescope a reality, scientists, engineers, and administrative staff from four continents have been working together for a long time. Astronomers first drew
up blueprints for next generation radio telescopes in the early 1980s, and subsequently groups
from around the world came together to work on a joint collaboration to build the telescope.
After careful design and planning, and eight years of construction, ALMA started its Early Scienceobservations in 2011, and is now celebrating its inauguration in 2013. ALMA has already started todeliver astonishing views of the Universe to us, and there will be many more to come.

1.
ALMA, the World - changing Telescope
How are galaxies formed and how do they evolve? How are stars formed? What are thenecessary conditions for the formation of a “second Earth”? The Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array, or ALMA, is now in operation on the Chajnantor Plateau in northern Chile, andwill help to unravel these long-standing mysteries in astronomy. ALMA’s unprecedented sensitivity
and resolution will greatly improve to our understanding of the Universe.
ALMA involves 66 high-precision antennas, ultra-low-noise receivers, powerful supercomputers
and many other high-technology components to detect faint light with millimeter and submillimeter wavelengths. This light comes from cold clouds in interstellar space, at temperatures only
a few tens of degrees above absolute zero, and from some of the earliest and most distant galaxies in the Universe. Millimeter and submillimeter waves are easily absorbed by water vapor in
the Earth’s atmosphere, but the thin and dry air of the Chajnantor Plateau, at an altitude of 5,000
meters above sea level, provides a perfect window for these waves.
To make this revolutionary but complex telescope a reality, scientists, engineers, and administrative staff from four continents have been working together for a long time. Astronomers first drew
up blueprints for next generation radio telescopes in the early 1980s, and subsequently groups
from around the world came together to work on a joint collaboration to build the telescope.
After careful design and planning, and eight years of construction, ALMA started its Early Scienceobservations in 2011, and is now celebrating its inauguration in 2013. ALMA has already started todeliver astonishing views of the Universe to us, and there will be many more to come.

Artist’s conception of ALMA. Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)/L. Calçada (ESO)Artist’s conception of ALMA. Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)/L. Calçada (ESO)2.
Early Radio Astronomy and its Future
In 1933, a radio engineer, Karl G. Jansky, reported the first detection of radio waves from the
Universe. Since then, radio astronomy has developed to become an important area of research
for astronomers hoping to reveal the mysteries of the Universe. Giant single-dish telescopes haveobtained wide-field pictures of star-forming clouds and galaxies, while radio interferometers —which use multiple antennas — have made high resolution images of baby stars, and of gigantic
radio jets emanating from the centers of galaxies. Radio telescopes have also opened up a new
discipline, astrochemistry, by detecting emission lines from molecules in interstellar space.
But the Universe remains full of mysteries. To probe these, astronomers needed to build yet more
powerful telescopes. North American, European, and Japanese scientists developed their own
next generation radio telescope projects throughout the 1980s and 1990s. Scientists and engineers discussed the specifications of the telescopes, searched for the perfect construction siteby measuring the weather conditions at several places, and shared their ideas across theinternational astronomical community. The three projects gradually converged, with a single
common design emerging: using more than 40 antennas, focusing on submillimeter wavelengths,
and selecting the Atacama Desert as the construction site. Researchers began to think of unifying these three projects and constructing a revolutionary telescope that could not be realized by
one country or one region alone. To achieve such a high goal, astronomers moved from competition to cooperation for the launch of the international ALMA project.

Artist’s conception of ALMA. Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)/L. Calçada (ESO)2.
Early Radio Astronomy and its Future
In 1933, a radio engineer, Karl G. Jansky, reported the first detection of radio waves from the
Universe. Since then, radio astronomy has developed to become an important area of research
for astronomers hoping to reveal the mysteries of the Universe. Giant single-dish telescopes haveobtained wide-field pictures of star-forming clouds and galaxies, while radio interferometers —which use multiple antennas — have made high resolution images of baby stars, and of gigantic
radio jets emanating from the centers of galaxies. Radio telescopes have also opened up a new
discipline, astrochemistry, by detecting emission lines from molecules in interstellar space.
But the Universe remains full of mysteries. To probe these, astronomers needed to build yet more
powerful telescopes. North American, European, and Japanese scientists developed their own
next generation radio telescope projects throughout the 1980s and 1990s. Scientists and engineers discussed the specifications of the telescopes, searched for the perfect construction siteby measuring the weather conditions at several places, and shared their ideas across theinternational astronomical community. The three projects gradually converged, with a single
common design emerging: using more than 40 antennas, focusing on submillimeter wavelengths,
and selecting the Atacama Desert as the construction site. Researchers began to think of unifying these three projects and constructing a revolutionary telescope that could not be realized by
one country or one region alone. To achieve such a high goal, astronomers moved from competition to cooperation for the launch of the international ALMA project.

Artist’s conception of ALMA. Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)/L. Calçada (ESO)Left:The NRAO 140 Foot Telescope at Green Bank, West Virginia, is the largest equatorially mounted telescope in the world. It has discovered organic molecules,
such as methanol and formaldehyde, in interstellar space and has played an important role in the development of astrochemistry. Credit: NRAO/AUI

Right: Swedish–ESO Submillimetre Telescope (SEST) at La Silla Observatory, ESO. Since 1987,
45-meter telescope at NAOJ Nobeyama Radio Observatory, Japan. The telescope discovered rotating gas disks around young stars and evidence of a massive black hole at the center of a galaxy.

Credit: NAOJSEST has pioneered the exploration of the southern submillimeter sky with its 15-meter dish. Credit: ESO/C. Madsen

Left:The NRAO 140 Foot Telescope at Green Bank, West Virginia, is the largest equatorially mounted telescope in the world. It has discovered organic molecules,
such as methanol and formaldehyde, in interstellar space and has played an important role in the development of astrochemistry. Credit: NRAO/AUI

Right: Swedish–ESO Submillimetre Telescope (SEST) at La Silla Observatory, ESO. Since 1987,
45-meter telescope at NAOJ Nobeyama Radio Observatory, Japan. The telescope discovered rotating gas disks around young stars and evidence of a massive black hole at the center of a galaxy.

Credit: NAOJSEST has pioneered the exploration of the southern submillimeter sky with its 15-meter dish. Credit: ESO/C. Madsen

Left:The Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA) at Socorro, New Mexico, is an array of 27 antennas with diameters of 25 meters. Since its dedication in 1980,
the VLA has made many exciting discoveries and given us beautiful radio images of various objects, including supernova remnants and gigantic radio jets from active galaxies. Credit: NRAO/AUI

Right: IRAM’s Plateau de Bure Interferometer consists of six 15-meter antennas and is located at 2550 meters altitude in the French Alps. Its high sensitivity and resolution allows astronomers to obtainfine images of protostars and galaxies at millimeter wavelengths. Credit: IRAM/Rebus

The Nobeyama Millimeter Array (NMA) consists of six 10-meter telescopes. During its 25 years of operation, the NMA has made important contributions to research into protoplanetary disks and distant galaxies. Credit: NAOJ

Left:The Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA) at Socorro, New Mexico, is an array of 27 antennas with diameters of 25 meters. Since its dedication in 1980,
the VLA has made many exciting discoveries and given us beautiful radio images of various objects, including supernova remnants and gigantic radio jets from active galaxies. Credit: NRAO/AUI

Right: IRAM’s Plateau de Bure Interferometer consists of six 15-meter antennas and is located at 2550 meters altitude in the French Alps. Its high sensitivity and resolution allows astronomers to obtainfine images of protostars and galaxies at millimeter wavelengths. Credit: IRAM/Rebus

The Nobeyama Millimeter Array (NMA) consists of six 10-meter telescopes. During its 25 years of operation, the NMA has made important contributions to research into protoplanetary disks and distant galaxies. Credit: NAOJ

Metrology station on the Chajnantor Plateau in 2002. A researcher is retrieving metrology data from the instruments. Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)

ESO–NRAO site-testing containers on the Chajnantor Plateau. Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)/H. Heyer (ESO)Metrology station on the Chajnantor Plateau in 2002. A researcher is retrieving metrology data from the instruments. Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)

ESO–NRAO site-testing containers on the Chajnantor Plateau. Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)/H. Heyer (ESO)Site-test equipment near Cerro Chajnantor. Credit: NRAO/AUISite-test equipment near Cerro Chajnantor. Credit: NRAO/AUI

View of northern Chile from the NASA Space Shuttle. Few clouds are seen in the Atacama area, in contrast to the Pacific Ocean (right). ALMA, ESO’s Very Large
A wide view of the Chajnantor Plateau, at an altitude of 5,000 meters. Credit: ESO

Telescope(VLT), and a number of telescope are located in this dry area. Credit: NASA/Claude NicollierView of northern Chile from the NASA Space Shuttle. Few clouds are seen in the Atacama area, in contrast to the Pacific Ocean (right). ALMA, ESO’s Very Large
A wide view of the Chajnantor Plateau, at an altitude of 5,000 meters. Credit: ESO

Telescope(VLT), and a number of telescope are located in this dry area. Credit: NASA/Claude Nicollier

The Licancabur volcano and an icy forest of penitents, thin spikes of snow sculpted by the strong winds at Chajnantor. Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO), B. Tafreshi (twanight.org)

The Licancabur volcano and an icy forest of penitents, thin spikes of snow sculpted by the strong winds at Chajnantor. Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO), B. Tafreshi (twanight.org)

Giant cacti, Echinopsis atacamensis, grow in the ALMA area, at around an altitude of 3,000 to 4,000 meters. Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)

Llama at the edge of the international road to Paso de Jama, not far from the ALMA area. Credit: ESO

Giant cacti, Echinopsis atacamensis, grow in the ALMA area, at around an altitude of 3,000 to 4,000 meters. Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)

Llama at the edge of the international road to Paso de Jama, not far from the ALMA area. Credit: ESO

3.

3.
Building ALMA
The construction of ALMA started in 2003. Since no infrastructure existed at the construction site,
the project had to start by paving a road, building power generators and installing power cables. Two major bases were built in the Atacama Desert: the Operations Support Facility (OSF) atan altitude of 2,900 meters above sea level, and the Array Operations Site (AOS) at an altitude of
5,000 meters above sea level.
In the partner countries, the development of high-precision antennas, low-noise receivers, andspecial-purpose supercomputers and software had begun. Scientists and engineers in theinstitutes, universities, and contractor companies made a huge effort to meet ALMA’s sophisticated and ambitious performance requirements, which had never been achieved before.

A night at the ALMA area with Echinopsis atacamensis, the Milky Way, and the Large Magellanic Cloud. Credit: ESO/S. Guisard (www.eso.org/~sguisard)3.

3.
Building ALMA
The construction of ALMA started in 2003. Since no infrastructure existed at the construction site,
the project had to start by paving a road, building power generators and installing power cables. Two major bases were built in the Atacama Desert: the Operations Support Facility (OSF) atan altitude of 2,900 meters above sea level, and the Array Operations Site (AOS) at an altitude of
5,000 meters above sea level.
In the partner countries, the development of high-precision antennas, low-noise receivers, andspecial-purpose supercomputers and software had begun. Scientists and engineers in theinstitutes, universities, and contractor companies made a huge effort to meet ALMA’s sophisticated and ambitious performance requirements, which had never been achieved before.

A night at the ALMA area with Echinopsis atacamensis, the Milky Way, and the Large Magellanic Cloud. Credit: ESO/S. Guisard (www.eso.org/~sguisard)Left:

Robert Eisenstein (NSF), Catherine Cesarsky (ESO), and Norio Kaifu (NAOJ), from left to right, signed the Trilateral Resolution for the joint construction of ALMA in 2001. Credit: NAOJ

Right: During ALMA’s ground-breaking ceremony on November 6, 2003 Robert Dickman from the NSF christens a block with Chilean wine as
Eduardo Hardy, Fred Lo, Massimo Tarenghi, Catherine Cesarsky and Daniel Hofstadt (left to right) watch. Credit: R. Dickman (NRAO)

A member of the local communities performs the traditional ritual of Pachamama(Payment to the Earth), in front of the structure of the Operations Support Facility (OSF)
building, at an altitude of 2,900 meters. Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)

Left:

Robert Eisenstein (NSF), Catherine Cesarsky (ESO), and Norio Kaifu (NAOJ), from left to right, signed the Trilateral Resolution for the joint construction of ALMA in 2001. Credit: NAOJ

Right: During ALMA’s ground-breaking ceremony on November 6, 2003 Robert Dickman from the NSF christens a block with Chilean wine as
Eduardo Hardy, Fred Lo, Massimo Tarenghi, Catherine Cesarsky and Daniel Hofstadt (left to right) watch. Credit: R. Dickman (NRAO)

A member of the local communities performs the traditional ritual of Pachamama(Payment to the Earth), in front of the structure of the Operations Support Facility (OSF)
building, at an altitude of 2,900 meters. Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)

ALMA construction work at the Array Operation Site (AOS) at an altitude of 5,000 meters. Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)

Construction of an antenna foundation at AOS. The antenna behind the workers is the Atacama Pathfinder Experiment telescope, APEX, operated by ESO. Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)

ALMA construction work at the Array Operation Site (AOS) at an altitude of 5,000 meters. Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)

Construction of an antenna foundation at AOS. The antenna behind the workers is the Atacama Pathfinder Experiment telescope, APEX, operated by ESO. Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)

Closely packed antenna foundations for the Atacama Compact Array (ACA). Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)

Closely packed antenna foundations for the Atacama Compact Array (ACA). Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)Completed AOS building. Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)

Three prototype antennas were evaluated at the ALMA Test Facility in Socorro, New Mexico. Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO), B. Broilo

Completed AOS building. Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)

Three prototype antennas were evaluated at the ALMA Test Facility in Socorro, New Mexico. Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO), B. BroiloJapanese 7-meter antennas in an assembly factory at Hyogo, Japan. Credit: Nikkei Science

Three Japanese 12-meter antennas in convoy from Mejillones port to the OSF (July 2007). Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)

Japanese 7-meter antennas in an assembly factory at Hyogo, Japan. Credit: Nikkei Science

Three Japanese 12-meter antennas in convoy from Mejillones port to the OSF (July 2007). Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)

Arrival of North American 12-meter antenna in the Atacama Desert. High-tech instruments and traditional life coexist in the Atacama Desert. Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO), C. Padilla

Assembling the receiver cabin on a European 12-meter antenna at the OSF. Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)/S. Stanghellini (ESO)Arrival of North American 12-meter antenna in the Atacama Desert. High-tech instruments and traditional life coexist in the Atacama Desert. Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO), C. Padilla

Assembling the receiver cabin on a European 12-meter antenna at the OSF. Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)/S. Stanghellini (ESO)Engineers installing the metallic panels on a European antenna dish. Credit: ESO/José Francisco Salgado (josefrancisco.org)

Engineers installing the metallic panels on a European antenna dish. Credit: ESO/José Francisco Salgado (josefrancisco.org)

The assembly of a North American antenna in the Site Erection Facility building at the OSF. Credit: NRAO/AUI

Three North American antennas under test in front of the SEF building. Credit: Iztok Bonč ina/ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)The assembly of a North American antenna in the Site Erection Facility building at the OSF. Credit: NRAO/AUI

Three North American antennas under test in front of the SEF building. Credit: Iztok Bonč ina/ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)

Three Japanese 12-meter and one 7-meter antennas at the Site Erection Facility (SEF) at the OSF. Credit: Iztok Bonč ina/ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)

A European antenna handed over to the Joint ALMA Observatory. Credit: ESO/S. Rossi

Three Japanese 12-meter and one 7-meter antennas at the Site Erection Facility (SEF) at the OSF. Credit: Iztok Bonč ina/ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)

A European antenna handed over to the Joint ALMA Observatory. Credit: ESO/S. Rossi

A European antenna moved to the OSF for mounting receivers and further performance tests. Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO), J. Guarda (ALMA)

Inspection of the antenna surface at the OSF. Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)A European antenna moved to the OSF for mounting receivers and further performance tests. Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO), J. Guarda (ALMA)

Inspection of the antenna surface at the OSF. Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)

A cryogenics and vacuum technician assembling an ALMA cryostat. Credit: ESO/M. AlexanderA cryogenics and vacuum technician assembling an ALMA cryostat. Credit: ESO/M. AlexanderLeft:

Band 9 receiver cartridges delivered by NOVA, the Netherlands. Credit: ESO/NOVA

Right: A Band 5 receiver cartridge under assembly at the Onsala Space Observatory, Sweden. Credit: Onsala Space Observatory/Alexey Pavolotsky

Astronomers at the OSF successfully detected the first fringe with Band 6 receivers in November 2009. Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO), J. McMullin (ALMA)

Left:

Band 9 receiver cartridges delivered by NOVA, the Netherlands. Credit: ESO/NOVA

Right: A Band 5 receiver cartridge under assembly at the Onsala Space Observatory, Sweden. Credit: Onsala Space Observatory/Alexey Pavolotsky

Astronomers at the OSF successfully detected the first fringe with Band 6 receivers in November 2009. Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO), J. McMullin (ALMA)A technician examining the ALMA correlator at the AOS, and breathing supplementary oxygen from a tank in his backpack. Credit: ESO/M. Alexander

Japanese correlator team with the ACA correlator at the AOS. Credit: NAOJ

A technician examining the ALMA correlator at the AOS, and breathing supplementary oxygen from a tank in his backpack. Credit: ESO/M. Alexander

Japanese correlator team with the ACA correlator at the AOS. Credit: NAOJ

An ALMA antenna en route from the OSF to the AOS for the first time in 2009. Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)

ALMA transporter operator working with supplementary oxygen at 5,000 meters. Credit: ESO/M. AlexanderAn ALMA antenna en route from the OSF to the AOS for the first time in 2009. Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)

ALMA transporter operator working with supplementary oxygen at 5,000 meters. Credit: ESO/M. Alexander

4.
Under the Atacama’s Clear Sky
Eight years after the start of construction, ALMA opened its eyes with a partially completed system in 2011. More than 900 observation proposals were submitted by astronomers around theworld who wanted to use ALMA, and — due to the limited time available — only about 100 projects could be accepted. The observation themes ranged from the chemistry in the atmosphereof Jupiter’s moon Io to star formation in galaxies billions of light years away.
Hundreds of staff members work at the site, maintaining, improving, and operating the telescope.
While the ALMA antennas dance under the clear sky of the Atacama Desert, excited scientists
are studying the fantastic data taken by ALMA, and many people, young and old, male and female, are participating in public science events, and listening to the latest news from the frontiersof the Universe, with stars in their eyes.

An ALMA antenna traveling across the vast Chajnantor Plateau. Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)

4.
Under the Atacama’s Clear Sky
Eight years after the start of construction, ALMA opened its eyes with a partially completed system in 2011. More than 900 observation proposals were submitted by astronomers around theworld who wanted to use ALMA, and — due to the limited time available — only about 100 projects could be accepted. The observation themes ranged from the chemistry in the atmosphereof Jupiter’s moon Io to star formation in galaxies billions of light years away.
Hundreds of staff members work at the site, maintaining, improving, and operating the telescope.
While the ALMA antennas dance under the clear sky of the Atacama Desert, excited scientists
are studying the fantastic data taken by ALMA, and many people, young and old, male and female, are participating in public science events, and listening to the latest news from the frontiersof the Universe, with stars in their eyes.

An ALMA antenna traveling across the vast Chajnantor Plateau. Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)

Panoramic view of the OSF Site Erection Facilities (left) and the OSF Technical Facility which hosts the control room, offices and labs (right). Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)

Three 12-meter antennas with a different shape at the OSF, constructed by North American, Japanese, and European partners (from left to right). Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO), M. Hiramatsu (NAOJ)

Panoramic view of the OSF Site Erection Facilities (left) and the OSF Technical Facility which hosts the control room, offices and labs (right). Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)

Three 12-meter antennas with a different shape at the OSF, constructed by North American, Japanese, and European partners (from left to right). Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO), M. Hiramatsu (NAOJ)

The ALMA gatehouse. The road to the OSF is seen climbing up the mountainside. Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO), H. Takata (NAOJ)

Maintenance crew relaxing at sunset after a day’s work at the OSF. Credit: ESO/M. Alexander

The ALMA gatehouse. The road to the OSF is seen climbing up the mountainside. Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO), H. Takata (NAOJ)

Maintenance crew relaxing at sunset after a day’s work at the OSF. Credit: ESO/M. Alexander

Maintenance work on an ALMA antenna at the OSF. Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)

Maintenance work on an ALMA antenna at the OSF. Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)

Simultaneous transfer of two antennas with Otto and Lore, the two ALMA transporters. Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)

Simultaneous transfer of two antennas with Otto and Lore, the two ALMA transporters. Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)The receiver laboratory at the OSF Technical Facility. Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO), H. Takata (NAOJ)

The Assembly, Integration and Verification (AIV) team, who assemble and integrate the telescope components into a working system. Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)The receiver laboratory at the OSF Technical Facility. Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO), H. Takata (NAOJ)

The Assembly, Integration and Verification (AIV) team, who assemble and integrate the telescope components into a working system. Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)

Commissioning and Science Verification (CSV) astronomers are monitoring the AOS console in the OSF control room. Credit: ESO/M. Alexander

45 ALMA antennas at the AOS. This photo was taken from Cerro Chajnantor (5,640 meters above sea level). Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO), S. Komugi (ALMA/NAOJ)

Commissioning and Science Verification (CSV) astronomers are monitoring the AOS console in the OSF control room. Credit: ESO/M. Alexander

45 ALMA antennas at the AOS. This photo was taken from Cerro Chajnantor (5,640 meters above sea level). Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO), S. Komugi (ALMA/NAOJ)

The Moon and the arc of the Milky Way. Credit: ESO/S. Guisard (www.eso.org/~sguisard)

ALMA and a starry night — a joy to behold. Credit: ESO/B. Tafreshi (twanight.org)

The Moon and the arc of the Milky Way. Credit: ESO/S. Guisard (www.eso.org/~sguisard)

ALMA and a starry night — a joy to behold. Credit: ESO/B. Tafreshi (twanight.org)

ALMA’s world at night. Credit: ESO/B. Tafreshi (twanight.org)

ALMA’s world at night. Credit: ESO/B. Tafreshi (twanight.org)

ALMA Board Meeting at the Santiago Central Office. Credit : ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)

Science assessors at the ALMA Early Science Cycle 0 proposal review. Credit: ALMA(ESO/NAOJ/NRAO), Í. Lemus(ALMA)

ALMA Board Meeting at the Santiago Central Office. Credit : ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)

Science assessors at the ALMA Early Science Cycle 0 proposal review. Credit: ALMA(ESO/NAOJ/NRAO), Í. Lemus(ALMA)5.
ALMA’s View of the Universe
Despite its relatively limited capability during Early Science observations, the scientific results from
ALMA are already overwhelming. Unparalleled sensitivity has made it possible for scientists todetect weak emission lines from distant galaxies and complex organic molecules around youngstars. Astronomers have also captured the sharpest-ever images of a circumstellar dust ring andmolecular arms of galaxies. More and more data are being delivered to scientists, and ALMA isstill growing. ALMA’s new era of astronomy is just beginning!

Visitors listening to an introduction to the ALMA project at Astroday in La Serena. Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO), M. Paredes(Gemini Observatory)

5.
ALMA’s View of the Universe
Despite its relatively limited capability during Early Science observations, the scientific results from
ALMA are already overwhelming. Unparalleled sensitivity has made it possible for scientists todetect weak emission lines from distant galaxies and complex organic molecules around youngstars. Astronomers have also captured the sharpest-ever images of a circumstellar dust ring andmolecular arms of galaxies. More and more data are being delivered to scientists, and ALMA isstill growing. ALMA’s new era of astronomy is just beginning!

Visitors listening to an introduction to the ALMA project at Astroday in La Serena. Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO), M. Paredes(Gemini Observatory)

The Antennae Galaxies seen in millimeter/submillimeter waves (red and yellow) and visible light (blue).
Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO). Visible-light image: the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope

Curious spiral spotted by ALMA around the red giant star R Sculptoris. Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)The Antennae Galaxies seen in millimeter/submillimeter waves (red and yellow) and visible light (blue).
Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO). Visible-light image: the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope

Curious spiral spotted by ALMA around the red giant star R Sculptoris. Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)

ALMA sees clouds of gas hidden by the dark dust lane in the galaxy Centaurus A.
Dust ring around the bright star Fomalhaut. Detailed inspection of the narrow dust ring revealed gravitational effects from unseen exoplanets.

The color gradation of green, yellow and orange indicates the motion of gas around

Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO). Visible-light image (in blue): the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope, Acknowledgement: A. C. Boley (University of Florida) et al.

the center of the galaxy. Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO); ESO/Y. Beletsky

ALMA sees clouds of gas hidden by the dark dust lane in the galaxy Centaurus A.
Dust ring around the bright star Fomalhaut. Detailed inspection of the narrow dust ring revealed gravitational effects from unseen exoplanets.

The color gradation of green, yellow and orange indicates the motion of gas around

Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO). Visible-light image (in blue): the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope, Acknowledgement: A. C. Boley (University of Florida) et al.

the center of the galaxy. Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO); ESO/Y. Beletsky

ALMA through the years

1980s - 1990s

Europe :North America :

East Asia :planning of Large

planning of Millimeterplanning of Large Millimeter

Southern Array (LSA)

Array (MMA)and Submillimeter Array (LMSA)

1995

Joint site testing in Chile

1999

U.S./European Memorandum of Understanding for ALMA

2001

Resolution for ALMA among Europe, the United States and Japan

2003

U.S./European bilateral agreement to construct and operate ALMA
Construction of ALMA started by Europe and North America
Groundbreaking Ceremony
Antenna testing at ALMA test facility in New Mexico

2004

Agreement on the construction of ALMA among Europe,
the United States and Japan2008

Acceptance of the first ALMA antenna

2009

First interferometry with two antennas at Operations Support Facility
First move of an ALMA antenna to the Array Operations Site

A dust and gas disk around a young star HD 142527 observed by ALMA. The dust in the outer disk is shown in red.
Dense gas in the outer disk is shown in green. Diffuse gas in the central gap is shown in blue.
This observation first identified the gas streams flowing across the gap in the disk. Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO), S. Casassus (Universidad de Chile) et al.

2010

Start of Commissioning and Science Verification activity

2011

ALMA open its eyes

2013

Inauguration

ALMA through the years

1980s - 1990s

Europe :North America :

East Asia :planning of Large

planning of Millimeterplanning of Large Millimeter

Southern Array (LSA)

Array (MMA)and Submillimeter Array (LMSA)

1995

Joint site testing in Chile

1999

U.S./European Memorandum of Understanding for ALMA

2001

Resolution for ALMA among Europe, the United States and Japan

2003

U.S./European bilateral agreement to construct and operate ALMA
Construction of ALMA started by Europe and North America
Groundbreaking Ceremony
Antenna testing at ALMA test facility in New Mexico

2004

Agreement on the construction of ALMA among Europe,
the United States and Japan2008

Acceptance of the first ALMA antenna

2009

First interferometry with two antennas at Operations Support Facility
First move of an ALMA antenna to the Array Operations Site

A dust and gas disk around a young star HD 142527 observed by ALMA. The dust in the outer disk is shown in red.
Dense gas in the outer disk is shown in green. Diffuse gas in the central gap is shown in blue.
This observation first identified the gas streams flowing across the gap in the disk. Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO), S. Casassus (Universidad de Chile) et al.

2010

Start of Commissioning and Science Verification activity

2011

ALMA open its eyes

2013

Inauguration

IN SEARCH OF OUR COSMIC ORIGINSThe Construction of the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array
Produced by ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)
Edited by Masaaki Hiramatsu (NAOJ)
Art direction and design by Yuichi Urushihara (tento)
Coordinated by Epiphany Works Ltd.
Printed by Printer in Chile
All rights reserved © 2013

The Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), an international astronomy facility, is a partnership of Europe, North
America and East Asia in cooperation with the Republic of Chile. ALMA is funded in Europe by the European Southern Observatory (ESO),
in North America by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) in cooperation with the National Research Council of Canada (NRC)
and the National Science Council of Taiwan (NSC) and in East Asia by the National Institutes of Natural Sciences (NINS) of Japan in cooperation with the Academia Sinica (AS) in Taiwan. ALMA construction and operations are led on behalf of Europe by ESO, on behalfof North America by the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO), which is managed by Associated Universities, Inc. (AUI) andon behalf of East Asia by the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ). The Joint ALMA Observatory (JAO) provides theunified leadership and management of the construction, commissioning and operation of ALMA.

IN SEARCH OF OUR COSMIC ORIGINSThe Construction of the
Atacama Large Millimeter / submillimeter Array

The Construction of the Atacama Large Millimeter / submillimeter Array

IN SEARCH OF
OUR COSMIC ORIGINS