ALMA Milky Way Panoramic 1

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ALMA Milky Way Panoramic 1

The Milky Way Galaxy stretches over ALMA and the Chajnantor plateau of the Chilean Andes. The Large and Small Magellanic Clouds can also be seen in this panorama that was stitched together from multiple photos.

Credit: NSF/ AUI/ NSF NRAO/ B.Foott

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ALMA Astrophotography Project

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More ALMA Images & Videos

A bright, icy-looking object floats in deep space at the center of the image, surrounded by a large, glowing blue and pale orange cloud that fades softly into the dark background. The blue part of the cloud is largest and mostly on the left-hand side. The orange part is smaller and on the right-hand side. Small stars are scattered throughout the black sky.

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Artist impression of WR 112

View of the Milky Way Galaxy seen from the ALMA Array Operations Site (AOS). The AOS is located on the Chajnantor plateau of the Chilean Andes, at an altitude of 5000 meters, making it the second highest building in the world. Light from the galaxy core shines even more brightly when captured at an altitude of 5000 meters – with so much less atmosphere to penetrate.

ALMA Looks at the Milky Way

The astro-modified camera used to take this photo lets in the hydrogen alpha light that is normally filtered out. This modification makes the camera more sensitive to the red end of the electromagnetic spectrum, thus giving a pink tint to the sky.

Green ALMA, Pink Milky Way

The red light at the top of the holography tower backlights the ALMA sign at the Operations Support Facility (OSF) while the core of the Milky Way Galaxy stands watch. The holography system is used to precisely calibrate the surface of the ALMA antennas.

Milky Way Galaxy and Holography Tower at ALMA OSF

The bright Moon washes out the fainter stars as it rests behind the ALMA sign at the Operations Support Facility (OSF).

ALMA Sign Up Close

The Milky Way Galaxy pours into an ALMA antenna. The astro-modified camera used to take this photo lets in the hydrogen alpha light that is normally filtered out. This modification makes the camera more sensitive to the red end of the electromagnetic spectrum, thus giving a pink tint to the sky. The green lights are used to show antenna activity.

ALMA and Pink Milky Way

Outside the ALMA Operations Support Facility (OSF), the second highest building in the world, fixtures are used sparingly to prevent light pollution from contaminating the incredible night sky. You can imagine that none of the stars in this photograph would have been visible if this light were on.

ALMA Street Light

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory is a facility of the U.S. National Science Foundation operated under cooperative agreement by Associated Universities, Inc.
	Founded in 1956, the NRAO provides state-of-the-art radio telescope facilities for use by the international scientific community. NRAO telescopes are open to all astronomers regardless of institutional or national affiliation. Observing time on NRAO telescopes is available on a competitive basis to qualified scientists after evaluation of research proposals on the basis of scientific merit, the capability of the instruments to do the work, and the availability of the telescope during the requested time. NRAO also provides both formal and informal programs in education and public outreach for teachers, students, the general public, and the media.
	The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency created by Congress in 1950 "to promote the progress of science; to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; to secure the national defense..."
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