🔭 A Glimpse into the Future: ALMA’s High-Tech Antennas! 🔭 This image might seem like it’s straight out of a sci-fi mov…

🔭 A Glimpse into the Future: ALMA’s High-Tech Antennas! 🔭

This image might seem like it’s straight out of a sci-fi movie or a video game, but it’s real! It shows one of the many antennas of the ALMA radio interferometer being transported on a specialized vehicle.

ALMA is comprised of 66 antennas, most of which have a diameter of 12 meters. These antennas work together as a single, massive telescope. They can be positioned in various configurations across 192 pads, with distances ranging from 150 meters to 16 kilometers.

When antennas are placed close together, they are highly sensitive to detecting extended sources. Conversely, when they are farther apart, they can observe incredibly fine details. This transporter is moving one of these vital antennas to its new location.

🌏 @science