A few weeks ago, the ALMA 2040 workshop discussed the future of the Atacama Large Millimeter and submillimeter Array (ALMA) telescopes.
This interferometer is located at ~5000m in the Chilenean desert and is one of the major instruments for observing molecular emission lines. With the construction of the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT) nearly completed, ESO started the initiative “Expanding horizons”.
In short, ESO is looking for the next major facility (new or upgrade) that will advance our understanding of the universe.
ALMA 2040 describes a major upgrade of the existing ALMA telescope array. What could this upgrade include? What groundbreaking science could we do in the year 2040?
To answer these and more questions, the ‘ALMA2040: Science Opportunities in the 2040s‘ workshop took place at the Haus der Astronomy in Heidelberg. I participated in this workshop and enjoyed discussion both the scientific visions of collegues as well as the technical challenges and feasibilities ALMA will encounter.
Image credit: Molly Wells/MPIA, from https://www.euroalma2040.com/workshops/hda-workshop