Thomas
The massive new observatory being built in Chile's Atacama Desert
I loved this story on the BBC website about the new Alma observatory being constructed high above the Atacama Desert in northern Chile. Basically it’s a series of large dishes which will apparently work together to effectively create one massive dish – equivalent to a dish some 15km wide.
“What Alma will do is zoom in on the interesting areas and make ultra-high-resolution images that show not just a blob where the galaxies or the molecules are, but resolves in very, very fine detail the structure of those objects, whether it’s the gas discs forming around stars or the collisions between galaxies at [great distance].”
This stuff always amazes me. The science behind the construction is mind-boggling let alone the science behind interpreting what the telescope will see.
“Alma will also go after events in the very early Universe, in particular the so-called “Epoch of Re-ionisation”.
The idea of a massive telescope zooming back through time and space to have a look at events which took place at the dawn of time is just bonkers to me.
Presumably it’s all to do with the lessening acceleration of expansion of the universe which allows us to catch up with some of the early matter?
Anyone know how this stuff actually works? Post your theses here!
Anyone want to go on holiday to Chile? Call us on 01273 676 712.
The pristine landscapes in northern Patagonia, Chile
***UPDATE BELOW***
I was saddened to read that a huge dam project got the go ahead from the Chilean Government recently. It involves a dam across the Baker River in northern Patagonia, an area of exquisite beauty and wilderness and one of the areas which first made me fall in love with Chile. The photo above is of the Lago General Carrera into which the Baker River flows.
What makes this a really very worrying development is not the dam in and of itself (I don’t know enough about the arguments to give an informed, objective opinion) but the following:
1) How do they get the electricity out of there? If they have to run power lines up from here then it not only impacts the immediate environment of the Rio Baker area but also threatens to destroy a great swathe of Patagonia. With the best will in the world and all the environmental impact reports you care to produce, if the power company pushes infrastructure through Patagonia then in time others with fewer scruples and less governance will follow and do the real damage.
2) The ownership structure of the Chilean electricity generators seems to make efficient generation unattractive which cannot be good in the long term.
3) The real power need appears to derive from the mining operations up in the north of the country, an area with enormous potential for solar and geo-thermal generation. Whilst there are obviously issues with the technology behind these methods of generation, they are being overcome all the time. By the time the dam is finished on the Baker River and the power comes on line, it is highly likely that a suitable, low impact, solar solution will exist which could sit next door to the mining operations.
4) The parties benefitting and the manner of their relationships make the decision making process worryingly obscure, if it isn’t actually corrupt then it’s open to that interpretation.
***UPDATE 23 June***
I was delighted to see on the BBC website that the project has been delayed. Also in Spain’s El Pais newspaper the story is carried.
At least part of the reason for the suspension seems to be some of the unresolved issues around the cabling to join the grid. Let’s hope that these things are resolved properly.
Read the full article here
Find out about our holidays in Patagonia.
Ahhh....the pool at Punta Islita. Photo taken by me, it's not a stock shot, it really is like this.
Immediately after Easter we hit Costa Rica’s ‘Green’ i.e. low season which means that some great hotels are offering some rather good special offers.
Because all of our self drive holidays to Costa Rica are tailored to your needs, we can apply the following discounts when preparing you a proposal/quote.
Lapa Rios Ecolodge, Osa Peninsula. Stay 5 nights, pay only 4. Valid from April 01st through August 25th, 2011. This is one of the most spectacular eco-lodges we know of anywhere, the fact that it’s right in the most biodiverse spot on the planet makes it all the more special.
Arenas del Mar, Manuel Antonio. Stay 5 nights, pay only 4 and get a Manuel Antonio National Park Tour. Valid from April 01st through June 30th, 2011. One of the most beautiful boutique beach hotels in Costa Rica.
Punta Islita Hotel, Guanacaste. Stay 4 nights and only pay for 3 nights in a Deluxe, suite & casitas. Valid from May 01st until December 15th, 2011. I love this hotel. Apart from being wonderfully comfortable and in a spectacular location, it has the strongest sustainability credentials of any hotel in Costa Rica.
Harmony Hotel, Nosara Beach. Stay 5 nights, pay only 4. Valid from April 01st through August 25th, 2011. A very laid back beach hotel a short sandy stroll from the enormous long sandy bay of Nosara. Surf paradise. It also has exquisite sushi and fish – oh for their ginger tuna wrap….
Finca Rosa Blanca, Heredia (San José) Stay 3 nights, pay only 2 (They can be split up). Valid from April 1st through August 25th, 2011. A wonderfully quirky hotel, sort of Gaudí meets the tropics. A great place to relax after your journey to Costa Rica so two nights at the start of a holiday and one night at the end makes perfect sense.
There are lots of other offers around too so please do ask when you call us on +44 (0)1273 676 712. We have a range of suggested self drive holidays to Costa Rica though these are always tailored to you so if you have ideas, just say.
The Green Season is also an opportunity to enjoy one of our Costa Rica Explorer holidays which is effectively a low season discounted self drive holiday. You travel with a book of vouchers and a list of hotels, booking in as you go along.