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ALMA Groundbreaking Ceremony Presentations
Rita R. Colwell, Director, NSF (Statement read by Wayne Van
Citters)
The U.S. National Science Foundation joins today with our North American
partner, Canada, and with the European Southern Observatory, Spain, and
Chile to prepare for a spectacular new instrument. The Atacama Large
Millimeter Array will expand our vision of the universe with "eyes" that
pierce the shrouded mantles of space through which light cannot
penetrate.
I extend both my congratulations and my regret for not being able to
join you. As you break ground for a new observatory, I will join the
President at a ceremony to recognize scientists and engineers who have
broken ground with far-reaching observations throughout their careers.
They will be receiving the distinguished National Medal of Science.
The plateau where ALMA's antennae will rise is one of the most starkly
beautiful places on Earth. It's not enough for the scientific community
to identify an outstanding site for astronomy; we rely also on the
generosity and cooperation of a willing host. Chile has a long history
of opening regions of exceptional scientific merit to the world
community.
Last year, I participated in the official opening of Gemini South near
La Serena. Gemini is but one in a long line of facilities that have
taken advantage of the observing conditions in Chile and paved the way
for one more.
Today marks the official start of construction. But the ALMA partnership
also breaks ground with a novel collaboration that ensures equal access
by astronomers on at least three continents. International partnerships
are quickly becoming the norm of the millennium, enabling organizations
and nations to combine funds to achieve greater scientific capability.
NSF is proud to participate in the creation of an instrument that will
provide unprecedented power for science and immeasurable knowledge for
all.
ALMA's 64 radio telescopes will serve as windows through which
scientists and the curious public will "see" back in time and far away,
to where the earliest and most distant galaxies were forming.
Our investments in ALMA's educational programs will be as important as
our outlays for construction, operations, and scientific research. With
our ALMA partners, we will engage a younger generation of scientists and
engineers in bonds that leap national borders and integrate education
with research.
We at NSF extend our best wishes for the speedy completion of ALMA and
for a lifetime of spectacular achievements.
Modified on Wednesday, 16-Jun-2004 12:14:18 EDT
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