A European antenna for ALMA

A European antenna outside the temporary shelter (the structure on the right) where it was assembled. This picture was taken in June 2010 at the ALMA Operations Support Facility (OSF), located at 2900 m altitude on the road to the 5000-metre-high Chajnantor plateau. ALMA, the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array, is the largest astronomical project in existence and is a truly global partnership of Europe, North America and East Asia in cooperation with the Republic of Chile. The ALMA array will initially be composed of 66 antennas, provided by the different partners. ESO, the European partner in ALMA, has ordered 25 12-metre antennas, with an option for an additional seven, from the AEM Consortium.