[ANNOUNCEMENT: March 6, 2020] After Chile identified the first confirmed case of coronavirus in the country, the ALMA observatory is taking preventive measures that can minimize the spread of the virus within its facilities, in order to safeguard staff and visitors well-being and the operation of the ALMA observatory. As part of these measures, the ALMA Public Visits held every weekend will be cancelled until further notice.

ALMA is open every Saturday and Sunday morning to members of the public who want to visit its facilities located in northern Chile (50 km from San Pedro de Atacama). Visitors must register in advance by completing and submitting the form. Only those who are registered in advance may visit the ALMA Operations Support Facility (OSF), where ALMA personnel work and where visitors can observe the control room, laboratories and usually antennas under maintenance and the antenna transporter. For safety reasons, operations on the Chajnantor Plateau (the Array Operations Site, or AOS, where the antennas are located) are not open to visitors, due to the location at 5,000 meters above sea level.

For more information and registration, please visit the Joint ALMA Observatory’s webpage.

Watching a movie during the ALMA OSF Public Visit

An ALMA antenna under maintenance at the ALMA OSF.