Stark beauty at observing conditions

The Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) — a state-of-the-art telescope to study light from some of the coldest objects in the Universe — operate high on the Chajnantor plateau in the Chilean Andes. ALMA comprises 66 high-precision antennae, each weighing in at over 100 tons. The landscape surrounding the ALMA facilities is captured here in all its staggered beauty. The harsh conditions suit the telescopes, but not many living things, giving the environment a stark and striking quality.