A joint project of the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory and the Academia Sinica Institute of Astronomy and Astrophysics, the Submillimeter Array (SMA) has opened a new window onto the cosmos by observing radiation from some of the coldest, dustiest, and most distant objects in the universe. Credit: Jonathan Weintroub (CfA)
High Resolution Image (jpg)
Low Resolution Image (jpg)

The Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA), shown here in this artist's conception, will follow the trail blazed by the SMA and bring a depth of understanding to planet, star and galaxy formation in the southern skies. To be located in Chile, ALMA will be comprised of 64 12-meter-diameter movable antennas, providing a resolution as fine as 0.01 arcseconds. Credit: National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ)
High Resolution Image (jpg)
Low Resolution Image (jpg)

SMA observations have clarified the nature of mysterious primordial galaxies billions of light-years away. The galaxy GN20 is clearly detected in the SMA image shown at far left. The middle panel shows SMA contours overlaying an image taken at a wavelength of 4.5 microns by IRAC on the Spitzer Space Telescope. The right panel shows SMA contours overlaying an image from the Hubble Space Telescope. Clearly, SMA can see what Hubble cannot. Credit: Daisuke Iono (SAO)
High Resolution Image (jpg)
Low Resolution Image (jpg)