Once an antenna is assembled and ready, it is handed over to the ALMA project and moved to the nearby OSF technical area, which is the area in the background, where more antennas can be seen. Here, it is integrated into the rest of the observatory’s systems. Finally, after further tests by the ALMA team, it is moved from the 2900 metres high OSF to its workplace, the Array Operation Site (AOS), located at an altitude of 5000 metres on the Chajnantor Plateau.

Also in the background, the two bright yellow ALMA antenna transporter vehicles, which are responsible for moving the antennas around and between the OSF and AOS sites, can be seen in their parking area. Further in the distance are the majestic snow-covered peaks of the high Andes, with the distinctive conical shape of the 5920-metre Licancabur volcano on the right.

ALMA, an international astronomy facility, is a partnership of Europe, North America and East Asia in cooperation with the Republic of Chile. ESO, the European partner in ALMA, is providing 25 12-metre antennas through a contract with the European AEM Consortium. ALMA will also have 25 North American antennas, and 16 East Asian antennas.

Notes

[1] The AEM Consortium is composed of Thales Alenia Space, European Industrial Engineering, and MT-Mechatronics.