ALMA Groundbreaking 2003-November-06

At the Site of the Future OSF near Toconao, Chile                   

Various GPS devices tracked progress of the visit from Calama by the OSF to the AOS on the new road, and back to the OSF via ASTE and the Jama Road. The trace of the route, showing the locations of the places, is shown on the LANDSAT image here.  

Outcasts from the Board assemble in the garden in Santiago.  M. Tarenghi, E. van Dishoeck, E. Schreier, M. Rafal, J. Cernicharo, J. Credland, D. Emerson (left to right).   

On 5 November, 70 guests traveled the new ALMA road to the future AOS site.  In the distance, a new telescope (APEX) could barely be discerned.

Ewine and Al approve the siting of the compact array foundation flags (look carefully!).

On 6 November, various celebrants began to assemble (l-r Wootten, Kurz, van Dishoeck, Rafal) at the future OSF site. In the background is the tent used for the groundbreaking ceremony.

The ground has been broken--grab a shovel and let's get to work!