Alma telescope peers into space from Chile's mountains
Alma telescope peers into space from Chile's mountains
By Gideon Long
BBC News, Chajnantour Plateau, Chile
29 May 2016
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The dishes measure up to 12m (39ft) in diameter
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On a bitterly cold afternoon, a small team of engineers moves slowly across Chile's Chajnantor plateau.
Bundled up against the biting wind, they stop under one of the dozens of giant telescopic dishes scattered across the moon-like landscape.
They unfold a stepladder and clamber up into the back of the dish to carry out routine maintenance.
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Each man carries oxygen. At over 5,000m (16,400ft) above sea level, the air here is so thin it is difficult to breathe.
Flurries of snow blow across the plateau. The temperature is -5C, with a wind chill factor of -19C.
'Giant chess board'
This is Alma, the most powerful radio telescope in the world and one of the most extraordinary places in Chile.
Alma telescope
More:
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-36357501
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