Nobody interested in science and the Universe could ignore the existence of black holes and protoplanetary discs. Do you know about these discs? In the last ten years, ALMA has changed how we view these phenomena. In this episode, ALMA Director Sean Dougherty explains to us which are the main fields where ALMA focuses its efforts. Let's know how ALMA is constantly improving to help humanity look as far as possible towards the beginning of the Universe. 

Furthermore, let's discover which are the following goals that scientists from all over the world want to achieve through ALMA.

Undoubtedly, the COVID-19 pandemic was a problem for all humankind, and its effects were seen in almost any imaginable aspect. Consequently, how did COVID-19 affect ALMA's functionality? Was there a shutdown? 

In this episode, Maryluz Jara, Hospitality Services Coordinator at ALMA, tells how the crucial moments of the pandemic lived in the observatory. 

Furthermore, let's discover how the works were recovered to keep ALMA helping humanity to deepen its knowledge about the Universe.

We have discussed widely the technologies and processes that made ALMA possible. Nevertheless, there could be no observatory if there were not people from more than 20 countries and many disciplines working together for a unique objective.

In this episode, Felipe Salinas, Human Resources Officer from ALMA, talks with us about the diversity of workers and the efforts that ALMA is currently making to be more diverse regarding genders.

In the previous episodes of ALMA's Little Universe, we have described the technologies and many of the processes and labors that made the observatory's operations possible. Nevertheless, we have not spoken yet about the Fellows. In this episode, Pei-Ying Hsieh and James Miley will tell us about their experiences and responsibilities at ALMA. Let's know how diverse research approaches and scientists from all over the world coexist at the heart of the observatory.

In this episode of ALMA's Little Universe, we will deepen our knowledge about how the raw data collected through the telescope becomes images intelligible by the human eye.

How does the binary code information become three-dimensional images with pseudo-colors that are analyzable by researchers worldwide? Drew Brisbin and Chin-Shin Chang, two scientists from the Science Archive Content Management, will explain to us the processes behind the conversion of radio frequencies into three-dimensional colorized images of the Universe. Let's see how different images and products of the Cosmos emerge from ALMA.

How do the raw data collected from the antennas become images from distant galaxies? In this episode, Drew Brisbin and Chin-Shin Chang, two scientists from the Science Archive Content Management, will help us to understand this. 

Furthermore, let's discover with Liz Humphreys how the Principal Investigators of any specific research get these processes done according to their purposes with information that later becomes publicly available to the world.

Though most engineering and technical works of ALMA occur during the daytime, astronomical observations can run day and night since the telescope is sensible to radio waves, which do not interfere with daylight. But how does the observatory operate 24/7? In this episode, James Miley, an ALMA Fellow who has worked as an astronomer on duty, will explain to us how they constantly monitor all weather conditions to achieve the best possible samples of the Universe through the instrumentation of ALMA. Let's discover how the two control rooms of the observatory operate to analyze 24/7 under constantly changing weather conditions.

ALMA's 66 antennas are located in the Array Operation Site (or AOS for short), a 40-minute drive from the observatory's camp. As AOS is 5,000 meters above sea level, anyone working there must be subjected to health tests to avoid risks.

In this episode, Dania Lange, a nursery at the ALMA Observatory, explains how they test and monitor their staff permanently to be safe while performing their jobs and what symptoms could appear if their medical work is not done carefully.

As we have known in our last episode of ALMA's Little Universe, OSF staff, during their shifts, are provided with many services that guarantee their comfort and proper work in the heights of the Atacama Desert. 

In this episode, Maryluz Jara, a Hospitality Services Coordinator, explains how they provide all the food, cleaning, maintenance, and transportation services and prepare everything for any eventuality. 

Let's discover how this essential task allows ALMA to be hospitable and habitable in a hidden place.

In this episode of ALMA's Little Universe, we will discuss how the Operation Support Facility is equipped to give their workers all the comforts and services needed, even at almost 3000 meters altitude in the Atacama Desert. 

The equipment includes offices, cafeterias, a gym with a pool, a barbecue area, and individual dormitories. We will speak with Carlos Bosa, project manager for a new multisport center at ALMA, also with Norikazu Mizuno, ALMA Deputy Director of Operations, who shared with us part of the massive efforts that are made to keep the workers living in good conditions, no matter how adverse the desert's environment and climate are.