February: the backstage where the future of ALMA is prepared
Although scientific observations are temporarily suspended during February, ALMA does not stop. Activities continue 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, during a dedicated period for maintenance, inspections, and tests that ensure the observatory continues operating safely, reliably, and efficiently for the rest of the year. “We prefer not...
VLBI 2026 Campaign Will Monitor a Black Hole Over Time
In January 2026, ALMA successfully conducted the first observations for a new VLBI monitoring project, marking the start of an ambitious effort that will continue through March–May this year. Unlike previous campaigns, which focused on short observing windows, this project will monitor the same target over...
ALMA Open House 2026: Call for Volunteers!
At ALMA, we do groundbreaking science every day, but its true value is multiplied when we share it. That's why, as part of Astronomy Day in Chile, we will once again open our doors to the community with a new edition of ALMA Open House 2026...
Congreso Futuro visits ALMA: science, society, and big questions
On Sunday, January 18, ALMA welcomed a delegation from Congreso Futuro, Chile’s flagship science and ideas festival. The visit connected the public conversations held in Santiago with the frontier of astronomical research on the Chajnantor Plateau, bringing together science, society, and long-term thinking. Among the visitors...
The water cycle in ALMA: every drop counts
In the world's driest desert, water is a critical resource. At ALMA, every drop has a long and carefully planned journey, from its source to its reuse. Behind this process is the team led by Donald Tait, Contracts and Facilities Group (CFG) Manager, along with shift...
Planning & Coordination: connecting teams to move ALMA forward
In an environment as dynamic as ALMA, where multiple critical activities occur in parallel, the Planning & Coordination area plays a key role in ensuring that everything runs safely, smoothly, and in line with the observatory's priorities. The team, made up of Stefan Gairing and Octavio...
We closed a successful 2025 with celebrations at the OSF and the Santiago office
This year was particularly special for ALMA: we exceeded 4,300 hours of observation, we were able to observe the interstellar comet 3I/Atlas, we monitored stellar activity in Proxima and Alpha Centauri, while continuing to make progress on the Wideband Sensitivity Upgrade (WSU). To bid farewell to...