Rationale


About LLAMA

LLAMA (Large Latin American Millimeter Array) radio observatory is an Argentine-Brazilian project. With its parabolic antenna, 12 m large in diameter, it is being installed in Alto de Chorrillos (Salta Province), at 4,850 meters above sea level. In this way, it will become one of the few telescopes at such a height in the world. LLAMA is designed to receive light at frequencies between 50 and 900 GHz (wavelengths between 6 and 0.3 mm). The altitude of the site ensures optimal quality sky conditions, essential to avoid the attenuating effect of water vapor, critical at higher radio frequencies. The project has required an investment of around 20 million dollars and its start-up is expected in early 2024. The antenna was built by the German company VERTEX, responsible for manufacturing part of the antennas for the ALMA radio interferometer, and has two Nasmyth cabins, similar to the APEX telescope design. The receivers and other components that will give life and advanced scientific capabilities to LLAMA are developed in international collaborations, including mainly people from Netherlands and Chile, beside Argentineans and Brazilians. LLAMA is the main motor for the development of an astronomical pole in the Puna Salteņa, which implied also in the creation of the multidisciplinar iniciative "Salta, Ventana al Universo" (Salta, Window to the Universe).


Rationale - Science with LLAMA

The development of radio astronomy has been linked to a strong technological impulse. This process is being accelerated thanks to the ambicious new instruments in operation and development, like ALMA and SKA. Latin American countries need to participate more actively in scientific research and technological developments in the area, and the LLAMA project is an important step in this direction. In the long term, LLAMA should be able to participate in the main international interferometric networks, helping to enhance the coverage of these experiments in the southern hemisphere.

The conference "Science with LLAMA" is designed to exchange and discuss ideas, experiences and research perspectives in this exciting field of millimeter/submillimeter Astronomy. The meeting will consist of various review conferences on cutting-edge topics, talks on specific scientific-technological research and plenty of time for discussion throughout four days. Participants will also have to oportunity to visit the instrument's Control Center in San Antonio de los Cobres, located about 160 km from Salta city and 16 km from the LLAMA site (Alto Chorrilos). 

The event aims to promote the technological developments associated with LLAMA in general, consolidate the user community, form collaborative ties at different levels and collect material for the preparation of a document that explores and describes the scientific capabilities of LLAMA.







Check all the eventīs announcements.