In the early morning of May 17 (Chilean time), the Salar de Atacama (Atacama Salt Lake, 2300 m asl) turned to an orange color reflecting the morning sun rising from behind the Licancabur Volcano (5916 m asl). From the OSF (2900 m asl), the lake is located in the southwest and the Licancabur in the northeast. Looking closer, you can find the shadow of the Licancabur, a triangle-shaped shadow, on the surface of the lake.

It may sound strange that the lake in the southwest is reflecting the sunlight from the northeast, but in the southern hemisphere where the ALMA site is situated, the Sun moves to north after the rise. As winter is now coming in the southern hemisphere, the Sun rises not from the exact east but from the east in a somewhat northerly direction. As for the geographical location, three spots (the Licancabur, OSF, and Salar de Atacama) are situated at different altitudes, but on the same straight line of about 30 km running from northeast to southwest.

Combination of these geographical factors created such a magnificent view of the Salar de Atacama, reflecting the shadow of the Licancabur on its surface, before the photographer at the OSF. [Photographed by Teruomi Tsuno (NAOJ)]

If you want to see more pictures around OSF, visit
Virtual Tour/To Operations Support Facility (OSF) .