VOICED: Star gazing in Chile

The ALMA project in the Atacama Desert is the world's largest ground-based telescope initiative, involving a global consortium of scientists. It features 66 antennas capable of detecting stars with extreme precision. These antennas, weighing 100 tons each, are designed to operate in harsh temperature conditions and can observe the coldest objects in the universe. ALMA's sensitivity allows it to penetrate dust clouds and study star formation and early galaxies. Beyond its scientific goals, ALMA also focuses on ethno astronomy, preserving local ancestral knowledge for future generations.

What is the primary goal of the ALMA telescope project?

• To explore the ocean depths

• To study the Earth's atmosphere

• To monitor weather patterns

• To probe the universe with high precision

How many antennas are being installed for the ALMA project?

• 66

• 50

• 100

• 75

What unique capability does the ALMA telescope have?

• It can predict earthquakes

• It can measure ocean currents

• It can penetrate dust clouds to observe star formation

• It can detect sound waves

What additional field of study is associated with the ALMA project?

• Meteorology

• Geology

• Ethnoastronomy

• Marine biology

What is one of the aims of the ALMA project regarding ancestral knowledge?

• To digitize ancient texts

• To create a museum exhibit

• To preserve and pass down local knowledge

• To translate ancient languages