ALMA Welcomes British Ambassador and UK Astronomer Royal to Observatory Facilities

Through a technical tour of the laboratories, control room, and an on-site antenna maneuver demonstration, David Concar, British Ambassador to Chile, and Michele Dougherty, the first woman to hold the position of Astronomer Royal, gained firsthand insight into the work of the teams that keep the radio telescope operational.

Within the framework of historical scientific collaboration between the United Kingdom and Chile, ALMA welcomed British Ambassador to Chile, David Concar, and the UK’s Astronomer Royal, Michele Dougherty. The delegation was received on site by ALMA Director, Sean Dougherty, for a tour that highlighted the importance of international cooperation in addressing fundamental questions about the Universe.

Michele Dougherty’s visit holds special significance, as she is the first woman to serve as Astronomer Royal since the office was established in 1675. Internationally recognized for her scientific leadership on the Cassini-Huygens mission to Saturn and its moons, Dougherty observed firsthand the cutting-edge technology and human talent driving ALMA’s operations in the Atacama Desert.

“It is a true honor to welcome the British Ambassador to Chile and the Astronomer Royal to our facilities. ALMA is the result of an unprecedented global scientific endeavor, and visits like this remind us of the vital role of scientific diplomacy and international collaboration. Today, we stand at a decisive moment as we advance the Wideband Sensitivity Upgrade (WSU), a comprehensive transformation that will multiply our telescope’s capabilities and allow us to continue pushing the frontiers of our understanding of the Cosmos,” emphasized Sean Dougherty.

A Tour Through the Heart of the Observatory

During the visit, the delegation participated in a guided tour of the Operations Support Facility (OSF), gaining insight into the operational dynamics across the observatory’s departments. The itinerary began at the antenna yard and hangar, where the delegation observed the specialized maintenance procedures required to sustain infrastructure in the harsh desert environment. They also witnessed live positioning maneuvers of the antenna “Titán” (DV07), operated on site by Sebastián Castillo from the technical team.

British Ambassador to Chile, David Concar, commended the dedication of the teams keeping ALMA at the forefront of global astronomy: “Touring these facilities allowed me to appreciate the skill and commitment of the engineers and technicians managing the massive array of dish antennas and detectors, keeping them operating with incredibly high precision under challenging high-altitude conditions.”

The tour continued to the Front End Laboratory, where ultra-sensitive cryogenic receivers, which process electromagnetic signals from space, are assembled, calibrated, and maintained. Subsequently, the delegation visited the Control Room to observe astronomers and array operators monitoring system status and data acquisition around the clock.

“It was inspiring to see the tremendous impact this collaboration is having, both on our understanding of the universe and on strengthening the bonds between our nations,” Concar added.

To conclude the day and provide a comprehensive overview of the observatory’s impact, ALMA Director Sean Dougherty delivered a presentation on current and future capabilities, highlighting how multilateral teamwork continues to expand the limits of astronomical discovery.

The visit reaffirmed the strong ties between the British scientific community and astronomical facilities in Chile, consolidating a long-standing tradition of technological excellence and shared discovery.