European Participation in ALMA Approved

8 July 2002: European Participation in ALMA Approved

ESO Council approved European participation through ESO in the bilateral (European-North American) project to construct the Atacama Large Millimeter Array at its recent meeting held in London on 8-9 July.

Europe and North America will share the project on a 50-50 basis. The European share will be managed by ESO on behalf of its member states and Spain (which will provide 7.5% of the European share).

The Bilateral Agreement with North America is expected to be signed in September. Final negotiations are also underway with Spain regarding its participation in the project, and with Chile regarding access to and use of the land for ALMA.

Interim appointments to the positions of Project Director, Project Manager and Project Scientist have already been made (from June 1st), as reported recently. The permanent posts are now being advertised. Once the Bilateral Agreement is signed a Board will be established.

Thus, the ALMA project moves into its second phase, construction. It is an exciting new initiative for ESO, and will become one of the major astronomical facilities for Europe and the world.

Catherine Cesarsky, ESO Director-General