Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array

I am way, way up high on a mountain. The air is clear and the sky is full of sparkly stars. I have big, white dishes that look like giant flowers. They all point up to the moon and the stars. It is so quiet here in the desert. I am the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array, but my friends call me ALMA. I am a special kind of telescope. I love looking at the sky all night long.

I wasn't made by just one person. Lots of friends from all over the world worked together to build me. They were like a big team. Starting in the year 2003, big, strong trucks carefully carried my 66 round dishes all the way up the mountain. It was a long trip. Finally, on March 13th, 2013, I was all put together. I was ready to open my eyes and look at the whole universe. It was so exciting to be finished.

I have a very special job. I don't see light like you do with your eyes. I listen. I listen for quiet, invisible light that comes from far, far away in space. It's like listening to a secret whisper. I can hear baby stars being born. I see the pretty, colorful dust that will one day become new planets. All of my dishes work together like one giant eye to take amazing pictures of everything out there in the dark, sparkly sky.

The pictures I take are like postcards from outer space. They help my scientist friends learn all about our big universe. I show them things that no one has ever seen before. I help everyone dream about what is out there, past our moon and our sun. I will keep looking and listening to the stars forever. I will share their secrets and help you remember to always look up at the night sky and wonder.