Multimedia Gallery
ALMA in Compact Configuration
An artist's conception of the Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA) in compact configuration. When construction is finished in 2011, ALMA will be the world's largest and most powerful radio telescope, operating at millimeter and sub-millimeter wavelengths. [See related image Here.]
More about this Image
The construction and operation of ALMA will be funded through a joint agreement between the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the European Southern Observatory. NSF will execute the project through the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) in Charlottesville, Virginia. NRAO is operated under cooperative agreement by Associated Universities Inc.
ALMA will be an array of 64, 12-meter radio antennas that will work together as one telescope to study millimeter and sub-millimeter wavelength light from space. These wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum, which cross the critical boundary between infrared and microwave radiation, hold the key to understanding such processes as planet and star formation, the formation of early galaxies and galaxy clusters, and the detection of organic and other molecules in space. The telescope will be built at an altitude of 16,500 feet in the Atacama Desert in the Chilean Andes. The site was chosen because it is considered the best location on Earth to study millimeter and sub-millimeter light because the wavelengths are absorbed by moisture in the atmosphere.
NRAO/AUI CONDITIONS OF USE
This image is owned by NRAO/AUI. The materials created, authored and/or prepared by NRAO are copyrighted in content, presentation and intellectual or creative origin. Use of NRAO/AUI images constitutes acceptance of these guidelines.
GENERAL CONDITIONS FOR USE
- NRAO/AUI images may not be used to constitute, state or imply the endorsement by NRAO/AUI, the NSF or any NRAO/AUI employee of an individual, commercial product, process, service or activity.
- Use of NRAO/AUI names and/or logos in publicity, promotion or advertising is prohibited without prior written consent of NRAO/AUI.
- NRAO/AUI should be acknowledged as the source of its materials, products and technologies.
- It is unlawful to falsely claim copyright or other rights in NRAO/AUI material.
- NRAO/AUI shall in no way be liable for any costs, expenses, claims or demands arising out of use of NRAO/AUI images by a recipient or a recipient's distributee.
- NRAO/AUI personnel are not authorized to sign "hold harmless" statements or documents granting exclusive rights.
Electronic products such as images and captions created and/or prepared by NRAO are copyrighted in content, presentation and intellectual origin. These electronically-available materials are considered intellectual property and are intended for use for educational, academic and research purposes and are not intended for commercial use.
Electronic versions of images are protected by copyright as intellectual property unless noted otherwise.
A. Credit and Copyright Statements
Any use of NRAO images should include the following credit statement:
"National Radio Astronomy Observatory/Associated Universities, Inc./National Science Foundation" or "NRAO/AUI/NSF"
Additional credit lines may be required for specific images.
Some images have been copyrighted by individuals. In these cases, please use the copyright specified. Please contact the individual if questions arise.
B. Usage Categories
Three general categories are defined for the use of NRAO images: 1) educational/research, 2) commercial and 3) personal (nonprofit).
In all three categories, electronic products may not be used in an inappropriate manner. Inappropriate use includes but is not limited to religious materials, gang related materials, ethnic background materials and political information. Inappropriate use also includes derogatory use of reproductions, authorship of derivative works and other transformations of the original work. The use of images must not imply endorsement by NRAO/AUI of organizations, products or services using the images.
1) Educational/Research Use: NRAO allows reproduction, authorship of derivative works and other transformations of the original work strictly for educational and research purposes without further permission, subject to the general conditions section stated above. Some examples of non-commercial uses for educational and research purposes are academic curricula developed by teachers, research papers written by students or scholars, nonprofit educational or nonprofit research publications produced by authors or publishers, educational outreach activities composed by amateur astronomers and news media stories. For other non-commercial uses, permission should be obtained from NRAO/AUI.
2) Commercial Use: For copyrighted materials, permission should be obtained from the copyright owner--NRAO/AUI--prior to use. NRAO will work with vendors on a case by case basis to establish appropriate permissions for use, which in some cases may involve a fee or royalty agreement. If a recognizable person appears in an image, use for commercial purposes may infringe a right of privacy or publicity, and permission should be obtained from the recognizable person. Some examples of commercial uses are non-educational book publications, non-news magazines, calendars, logos and retail products. Commercial vendors should submit a description of the intended use of the images to the contact address below for verification of appropriate use.
3) Personal, Non-Profit Use: NRAO allows reproduction, authorship of derivative works and other transformations of the original work strictly for personal, nonprofit/non-commercial/non-retail use without further permission, subject to the second paragraph under II.B. and the general conditions section stated above. Some examples of personal, nonprofit/non-commercial/non-retail use are downloading images for personal posters or screensavers or as gifts for friends and relatives.
C. Contact for Help with NRAO Images Only
If further information or assistance is needed, please contact Public Information (by e-mail: info@nrao.edu), National Radio Astronomy Observatory, 520 Edgemont Rd., Charlottesville, VA 22903. (Year of image: 2002)
Credit: Courtesy of NRAO/AUI and ESO
See other images like this on your iPhone or iPad download NSF Science Zone on the Apple App Store.
Special Restrictions: See "NRAO/AUI Conditions of Use," in caption (above).
Images and other media in the National Science Foundation Multimedia Gallery are available for use in print and electronic material by NSF employees, members of the media, university staff, teachers and the general public. All media in the gallery are intended for personal, educational and nonprofit/non-commercial use only.
Images credited to the National Science Foundation, a federal agency, are in the public domain. The images were created by employees of the United States Government as part of their official duties or prepared by contractors as "works for hire" for NSF. You may freely use NSF-credited images and, at your discretion, credit NSF with a "Courtesy: National Science Foundation" notation.
Additional information about general usage can be found in Conditions.
Also Available:
Download the high-resolution TIFF version of the image. (8.4 MB)
Use your mouse to right-click (Mac users may need to Ctrl-click) the link above and choose the option that will save the file or target to your computer.