What happens in the Control Room?

Though most engineering and technical works of ALMA occur during the daytime, astronomical observations can run day and night since the telescope is sensible to radio waves, which do not interfere with daylight. But how does the observatory operate 24/7? In this episode, James Miley, an ALMA Fellow who has worked as an astronomer on duty, will explain to us how they constantly monitor all weather conditions to achieve the best possible samples of the Universe through the instrumentation of ALMA. Let's discover how the two control rooms of the observatory operate to analyze 24/7 under constantly changing weather conditions.

What is ALMA Little Universe?

Journey into the 'Little Universe of ALMA' and uncover the wonders of our cosmic origins. In bite-sized episodes ranging from 3 to 6 minutes, delve into the intricacies of the ALMA Observatory, stationed in the heart of the Atacama Desert. Discover galaxies shrouded in stardust, the first-ever image of a black hole, and even a simplified form of sugar, all made possible by 66 colossal antennas that peer into the Universe with unparalleled depth. Embark on this enlightening journey and learn how ALMA connects us to the vast expanse of the Cosmos.

This podcast was produced by Paige Cromley during her internship at ALMA from Princeton University.