Rare Snowfall in Atacama Desert Disrupts Operations of World's Most Powerful Radio Telescope
📷 Image source: cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net
An unusual snowfall in Chile's Atacama Desert, one of the driest places on Earth, has forced the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) into 'survival mode.' The rare weather event, which occurred earlier this week, prompted the temporary suspension of astronomical observations to protect the sensitive equipment. ALMA, a collaboration between international partners, is the world's most powerful radio telescope and is typically shielded from such extreme conditions due to the desert's arid climate. However, the unexpected snowfall required engineers to implement emergency protocols to prevent damage to the telescope's 66 high-precision antennas. While the facility is designed to withstand harsh environments, prolonged exposure to moisture and low temperatures could compromise its delicate instruments. ALMA's team is closely monitoring the situation and expects to resume normal operations once conditions stabilize. This incident highlights the challenges of maintaining advanced scientific infrastructure in remote and unpredictable locations.
