The exciting future of (sub-)millimeter interferometry: ALMA

TL;DR

ALMA is a revolutionary (sub-)millimeter interferometer with unprecedented capabilities, poised to significantly advance our understanding of star and galaxy formation, and to support a broad range of astronomical research through its technological and organizational infrastructure.

Contribution

This paper describes the ALMA project, its scientific goals, technological features, organizational structure, and its potential contributions to astrophysics, especially in AGN fueling.

Findings

ALMA will operate at unprecedented sensitivity and resolution.

ALMA will explore the (sub-)mm Universe, revealing new insights.

ALMA's organizational support will enhance scientific research.

Abstract

The Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), presently under construction, is a revolutionary astronomical interferometer, that will operate at (sub)millimeter wavelengths. With unprecedented sensitivity, resolution, and imaging capability, ALMA will explore the (sub-)mm Universe, one of astronomy's last frontiers. ALMA is expected to provide insight in star- and galaxy formation in the early Universe and to image local star- and planet formation in great detail. The ALMA Commissioning and Science Verification phase is currently in course, preparing the path for Early Science. The Call for ALMA Early Science proposals is expected to be released before the end of 2010. In this contribution we will describe the ALMA project, the array and its receivers, its science goals, and its scientific and technological potential. We will outline the organizational structure of the ALMA Regional Centres, that will play an important role in providing support to the users, with particular attention to the Italian ALMA Regional Centre in Bologna. Finally, we will illustrate what ALMA can contribute to the specific science case of AGN fueling.