
ALMA's First Image This is ALMA's first image,
showing the Antennae Galaxies in two different
wavelength ranges. The image was captured during
the observatory's early testing phase, using only 12
antennas working together — the array will
eventually have 66. European Southern Observatory
showing the Antennae Galaxies in two different
wavelength ranges. The image was captured during
the observatory's early testing phase, using only 12
antennas working together — the array will
eventually have 66. European Southern Observatory
Appropriately enough, the first images captured the Antennae Galaxies, a pair of colliding galaxies replete with stars and stellar nurseries. ALMA’s 39- and 23-foot dish antennae can resolve areas of dense, cold gas that other telescopes could not detect.
ALMAsits in the high Chilean desert, about 16,000 feet above sea level and above much of the interfering atmosphere. These pictures were made with 12 telescopes situated relatively close together; science observations during the next few months will be even clearer.
Closer-situated antennae yield a wide field of view, so astronomers can search for items they want to study in more detail. Moving the antennae farther apart provides a narrower focus, like using a finer lens on a regular telescope. Instead of tunable knobs, ALMA has 192 separate antennae pads for the huge dishes to be moved around. More