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Questions and Answers
What is the primary purpose of the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA)?
What is the primary purpose of the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA)?
- To monitor solar flares and their effects
- To study star birth and local star and planet formation (correct)
- To enhance radio communication
- To observe cosmic microwave background radiation
Why was the Chajnantor plateau chosen as the location for ALMA?
Why was the Chajnantor plateau chosen as the location for ALMA?
- It has a high density of astronomical phenomena
- It is close to major urban areas for backup support
- Its high elevation and low humidity are critical for reducing noise (correct)
- It offers convenient access for international collaboration
Which countries are involved in the international partnership that operates ALMA?
Which countries are involved in the international partnership that operates ALMA?
- China and Australia only
- Only European countries and the United States
- Europe, the United States, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and Chile (correct)
- Only Japan and South Korea
When did ALMA begin its scientific observations?
When did ALMA begin its scientific observations?
What is significant about the cost of ALMA?
What is significant about the cost of ALMA?
Flashcards
ALMA's Location
ALMA's Location
ALMA is located on the high-elevation Chajnantor plateau in the Atacama Desert, Chile.
ALMA's Purpose
ALMA's Purpose
ALMA observes the formation of stars and planets.
ALMA's Wavelengths
ALMA's Wavelengths
ALMA observes millimeter and submillimeter electromagnetic radiation.
ALMA's Telescopes
ALMA's Telescopes
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ALMA's Partnership
ALMA's Partnership
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Study Notes
ALMA: Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array
- ALMA is a multinational astronomical interferometer composed of 66 radio telescopes.
- Located in the Atacama Desert, northern Chile, on the 5,000 m (16,000 ft) Chajnantor plateau.
- Designed to observe electromagnetic radiation at millimeter and submillimeter wavelengths.
- High elevation and low humidity at the observatory site reduce atmospheric noise and signal attenuation.
- ALMA captures detailed images of star and planet formation.
- The array observes star birth during early Stelliferous epoch.
- Partners in the project are: Europe, the US, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and Chile.
- Estimated cost is US$1.4 billion, making it the most expensive ground-based telescope currently in operation.
- Began scientific observations in the second half of 2011.
- First images publicly released in October 2011.
- Fully operational since March 2013.
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