Atacama Large Millimeter Array - ALMA Radio Telescope

Observatory · El Loa

Atacama Large Millimeter Array - ALMA Radio Telescope

Observatory · El Loa

3

San Pedro de Atacama, Antofagasta, Chile

Photos

Atacama Large Millimeter Array - ALMA Radio Telescope by null
Atacama Large Millimeter Array - ALMA Radio Telescope by CoolCrab (Atlas Obscura User)
Atacama Large Millimeter Array - ALMA Radio Telescope by CoolCrab (Atlas Obscura User)
Atacama Large Millimeter Array - ALMA Radio Telescope by European Southern Observatory/cc by 2.0
Atacama Large Millimeter Array - ALMA Radio Telescope by Iztok Bončina/ESO/CC BY 4.0
Atacama Large Millimeter Array - ALMA Radio Telescope by ESO/C. Malin/cc by-sa 4.0
Atacama Large Millimeter Array - ALMA Radio Telescope by ESO/C. Malin/cc by-sa 4.0
Atacama Large Millimeter Array - ALMA Radio Telescope by Iztok Bončina/ESO/CC BY 4.0
Atacama Large Millimeter Array - ALMA Radio Telescope by CoolCrab (Atlas Obscura User)
Atacama Large Millimeter Array - ALMA Radio Telescope by European Southern Observatory/cc by 2.0
Atacama Large Millimeter Array - ALMA Radio Telescope by CoolCrab (Atlas Obscura User)
Atacama Large Millimeter Array - ALMA Radio Telescope by null
Atacama Large Millimeter Array - ALMA Radio Telescope by null
Atacama Large Millimeter Array - ALMA Radio Telescope by null
Atacama Large Millimeter Array - ALMA Radio Telescope by null
Atacama Large Millimeter Array - ALMA Radio Telescope by null
Atacama Large Millimeter Array - ALMA Radio Telescope by null
Atacama Large Millimeter Array - ALMA Radio Telescope by null
Atacama Large Millimeter Array - ALMA Radio Telescope by null
Atacama Large Millimeter Array - ALMA Radio Telescope by null
Atacama Large Millimeter Array - ALMA Radio Telescope by null
Atacama Large Millimeter Array - ALMA Radio Telescope by null
Atacama Large Millimeter Array - ALMA Radio Telescope by null
Atacama Large Millimeter Array - ALMA Radio Telescope by null
Atacama Large Millimeter Array - ALMA Radio Telescope by null
Atacama Large Millimeter Array - ALMA Radio Telescope by null
Atacama Large Millimeter Array - ALMA Radio Telescope by null
Atacama Large Millimeter Array - ALMA Radio Telescope by null
Atacama Large Millimeter Array - ALMA Radio Telescope by null
Atacama Large Millimeter Array - ALMA Radio Telescope by null

Highlights

High-altitude observatory housing a gigantic telescope, open weekends for pre-booked tours.  

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San Pedro de Atacama, Antofagasta, Chile Get directions

almaobservatory.org

Information

Static Map

San Pedro de Atacama, Antofagasta, Chile Get directions

almaobservatory.org

Features

wheelchair accessible entrance

Last updated

Mar 4, 2025

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@travelleisure

"The largest and most powerful telescope on Earth, crucial for astronomical research and offering visitors a chance to explore the stars." - Staff Author

Atacama Desert Travel Guide
View Postcard for Atacama Large Millimeter Array - ALMA Radio Telescope
@atlasobscura

"Chile is a popular place for telescopes because of its dry air, dark surroundings, and high elevation. It also helps that the southern sky is particularly interesting because it’s where you can see the Milky Way’s core. In addition to optical observation, Chile is also perfect for millimeter and radio observations due to the area’s low amounts of interfering radiation from things like cell phones and WiFi.  The biggest of such telescopes is the Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA). The ALMA is 16,000 feet (5,000 meters) above sea level. The telescope consists out of 66 antennas nearly 40 feet (12 meters) in diameter that work together to form a single gigantic dish stretching up to 10 miles (16 kilometers), giving astronomers much better resolutions than any other instrument can offer.  With this telescope, astronomers use millimeter radiation’s ability to look right though obstructive features that would be opaque in optical wavelengths. This makes the instrument perfect for observing dust, protoplanetary disks, the solar atmosphere, and exoplanets." - ATLAS_OBSCURA

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View Postcard for Atacama Large Millimeter Array - ALMA Radio Telescope
@atlasobscura

"Chile is a popular place for telescopes because of its dry air, dark surroundings, and high elevation. It also helps that the southern sky is particularly interesting because it’s where you can see the Milky Way’s core. In addition to optical observation, Chile is also perfect for millimeter and radio observations due to the area’s low amounts of interfering radiation from things like cell phones and WiFi.  The biggest of such telescopes is the Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA). The ALMA is 16,000 feet (5,000 meters) above sea level. The telescope consists out of 66 antennas nearly 40 feet (12 meters) in diameter that work together to form a single gigantic dish stretching up to 10 miles (16 kilometers), giving astronomers much better resolutions than any other instrument can offer.  With this telescope, astronomers use millimeter radiation’s ability to look right though obstructive features that would be opaque in optical wavelengths. This makes the instrument perfect for observing dust, protoplanetary disks, the solar atmosphere, and exoplanets." - ATLAS_OBSCURA

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View Postcard for Atacama Large Millimeter Array - ALMA Radio Telescope

Martin Duben (Martin)

Google
Have NOT visited! 1/2025 This is a notice for those who wish to that they only make organized tours once a month. Even their website is not clear on that. First contact them online and try to get the date before planning or even visiting.

윤형식

Google
High altitude medical test might be needed. This is one of the most sensitive pioneer in radio astronomy in 5050 m above sea level. Take care your breath. It can be dizzy.

Nas Sol

Google
Be fascinated with what we can accomplish. ALMA has certainly proved that. A collaboration between 3 continents, it is a unique marvel and accomplishment. We were fortunate to take the tour and learn a lot about space and what we cannot see nor know. There's great grasp of knowledge that you get to learn when you take this tour, which is free, during weekends only. It's one of the most inspiring tours that I've experienced. It's a must and take your time to visit their website so you can apply your name for the tour. You won't regret it!

Henrique Núñez

Google
Quite awesome ! Being in the largest space observatory in the world is a great experience. In the visit, you get to know a little about what is ALMA, some physics stuff (how data is acquired in their telescopes) and also their massive radio telescopes, which are larger than 4 floor buildings. In the tour, it's not allowed to visit the antennas site, for safety reasons (5050 meters high). The visits are only made on weekends, but PRIOR RESERVATION IS REQUIRED, and are done in their website. But pay attention, if you want to ensure there will be a place left, do the reservation AT LEAST 3 MONTHS BEFORE the date. The tour is free.

nu nu

Google
We got more in Taiwan .

redaura

Google
A surreal experience to witness the forefront of astronomical research be conducted and pioneered.

gowda chethan

Google
It's one of the most inspiring tours that I've experienced.

A N

Google
Out-of-this-world. Almost literally. When you look at the collection of dishes through the tinted windows of the relaxation lounge of the technical building at 5050m altitude, the absence of movement outside - except the periodical rotation of the telescope dishes - makes you feel like you're in a base on another planet. A once-in-a-lifetime experience.