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Observatory in Chile is Wesleyan Radio Astronomer's Answer to Hubble

A Wesleyan astronomer has just returned from a conference in Tokyo, Japan, where she discussed research from the ALMA space telescope -- a radio observatory partly funded by the National Science Foundation -- which is just finishing construction.

Credit ESO/L. Calçada
This artist’s impression shows the dust and gas around the double star system GG Tauri-A. Researchers using ALMA have detected gas in the region between two discs in this binary system. This may allow planets to form.

Speaking on WNPR'sWhere We Live, Meredith Hughes said ALMA, or Atacama Large Millimeter Array, is the radio astronomer's answer to the Hubble Space Telescope.

"Some of the first images that we've seen of these discs around young stars where planets are forming came from the Hubble Space Telescope, but the problem was that Hubble Space Telescope gets blocked by dust," Hughes said. "Now, with the ALMA observatory... we're actually seeing into the regions where planets are forming, and it's completely revolutionizing our view of how and when planets form around other stars."

Credit ESO/B. Tafreshi (twanight.org)
Whirling southern star trails over the ALMA observatory in Chile.

Hughes said ALMA will allow radio astronomers to look at the types of environments where stars like the sun formed. It will even try to capture the first-ever image of a black hole -- a delicate operation that was recently profiled by PBS "Newshour."

The observatory, which is located in Chile, includes 66 antennas and will employ scientists from all around the world.

Patrick Skahill is a reporter and digital editor at Connecticut Public. Prior to becoming a reporter, he was the founding producer of Connecticut Public Radio's The Colin McEnroe Show, which began in 2009. Patrick's reporting has appeared on NPR's Morning Edition, Here & Now, and All Things Considered. He has also reported for the Marketplace Morning Report. He can be reached at pskahill@ctpublic.org.

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