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The Compass: Stargazing: Stargazing: Astronomy from the Edge of the World

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30/08/2017 GMT

Stargazing: Astronomy from the Edge of the World

Stargazing

BBC World Service - The Compass, Stargazing, Stargazing: Astronomy from the Edge of the World

ALMA, the remote observatory in Chile, tracks the 'radio sky': 2/5

ALMA, the remote observatory high in the Atacama Desert in Chile, tracks the 'radio sky' in which the Moon and planets are barely detectable. Episode two of five.

Dava Sobel hears from telescope operators at ALMA, the remote observatory high in the Atacama Desert in Chile, talking to us with their oxygen tanks at the ready. Episode two of five.
As we hear, the ‘radio sky’ presents an alternate universe, in which the Moon and planets are barely detectable. In their place are clouds of interstellar gas and other exotic celestial sources which reveal different aspects of our history and astronomy. At ALMA, the radio astronomers do not need to wait until dark to make their observations but can work at any hour, day or night.


(Photo: The ALMA Observatory is located in the Chajnantor Plateau over 5,000 metres above sea level. Credit: ALMA/ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)

The Compass: Stargazing

Dava Sobel explores our fascination with the cosmos

Dava Sobel explores our fascination with the cosmos, from the revelations of Copernicus to the latest developments.

Dava Sobel explores our fascination with the cosmos, from the revelations of Copernicus to the latest developments.

Photo: The ALMA Observatory (Credit: Carlos Padilla – AUI/NRAO)

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